Meaning of minstrelry | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The art of minstrels.
2. A simplified depiction of another culture, especially black African, for entertainment purposes, generally seen as offensive.

Examples

“Possibly it was a tune of West African origin or, equally likely, a piece of mock-Ethiopian minstrelry composed by a white American.”

“Minstrelry (making oneself up as “the other” to take the other over, to evacuate difference, to control representation) is indeed a dangerous and unethical practice.”

“Spearheaded by Charlie Parker, bebop, or just bop, had evolved in the 1940s, partly as an antidote to the crowd-pleasing showmanship (demeaning minstrelry, as they saw it) that was demanded in popular big band swing.”

CEFR level