AUTHOR: Dave Sypniewski DATE: Thursday, February 02, 2006 ----- BODY: Throughout the month of February, African Americans will be celebrating their heritage as part of Black History Month. Perhaps one of the most controversial names that comes up is the late entertainer, singer, and dancer from the days of Vaudeville back in "The Roaring 20's", Al Jolson. Some may say that paying tribute to a white man during the month of February is a silly idea. Now, contrary to popular belief, Jolson was really a black man trapped in a white man's body. He loved to perform, sing, and tapdance. The black grease paint on the face was just a gimmick to get himself over with an audience that was growing tired of the same old lame acts that took to the Vaudeville stage. Instead of making a mockery of African Americans, he was really showing respect and admiration. In this photo from the 1920's, Jolson is seen breaking into song and dance while singing "My Mammy" which turned out to be a big hit that spun on many Victorola's back in the day! Did you know that if not for Jolson, there wouldn't be any crappy movies around today? His 1926 film, "The Jazz Singer" was the first motion picture with sound, or "talkie" as it is referred to! If not for him, you might be watching Martin Lawrence simply throwing a pie into the face of Cedric The Entertainer to get a cheap laugh! Well, OK they STILL do that stuff anyway...but back then, you'd have to read the captions in-between frames to see what crazy S%$@ Cedric says next! See what I mean?! Jazz Singer got remade half a dozen times over the years to the last incarnation which featured Neil Diamond in the role. The story got tweaked a bit and became a movie about a Jewish entertainer at odds with his bullheaded elderly Rabbi father. Jolson wouldn't have wanted it that way had he'd still been alive. Back in that day however, his entertainment in "blackface" opened quite a few doors...quite literally. Soon after, bit parts were being offered to Black Americans that Caucasian thespians frowned upon, such as: doormen, maids, shoeshine boys, and train conductors. Today, there's all kinds of opportunities around on both the big and small screen. Heck, there's even UPN on over the air TV, and TVONE and BET on cable! If Al Jolson were around to see what he started, he may very well exclaim, "Holy Mackeral!". Nobody should hang their head in shame over Jolson's stage show as you see, after he took Charlie Chaplain's act to the next level, Jolson was able to hire an African American driver, as well as a cook and maid! Al Jolson IS an African American to remember! -------- Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!: Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE Salutes:"Black History Month"

Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE!

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Squealing Pig WORLDWIDE Salutes:"Black History Month"

Throughout the month of February, African Americans will be celebrating their heritage as part of Black History Month. Perhaps one of the most controversial names that comes up is the late entertainer, singer, and dancer from the days of Vaudeville back in "The Roaring 20's", Al Jolson. Some may say that paying tribute to a white man during the month of February is a silly idea. Now, contrary to popular belief, Jolson was really a black man trapped in a white man's body. He loved to perform, sing, and tapdance. The black grease paint on the face was just a gimmick to get himself over with an audience that was growing tired of the same old lame acts that took to the Vaudeville stage. Instead of making a mockery of African Americans, he was really showing respect and admiration. In this photo from the 1920's, Jolson is seen breaking into song and dance while singing "My Mammy" which turned out to be a big hit that spun on many Victorola's back in the day! Did you know that if not for Jolson, there wouldn't be any crappy movies around today? His 1926 film, "The Jazz Singer" was the first motion picture with sound, or "talkie" as it is referred to! If not for him, you might be watching Martin Lawrence simply throwing a pie into the face of Cedric The Entertainer to get a cheap laugh! Well, OK they STILL do that stuff anyway...but back then, you'd have to read the captions in-between frames to see what crazy S%$@ Cedric says next! See what I mean?! Jazz Singer got remade half a dozen times over the years to the last incarnation which featured Neil Diamond in the role. The story got tweaked a bit and became a movie about a Jewish entertainer at odds with his bullheaded elderly Rabbi father. Jolson wouldn't have wanted it that way had he'd still been alive. Back in that day however, his entertainment in "blackface" opened quite a few doors...quite literally. Soon after, bit parts were being offered to Black Americans that Caucasian thespians frowned upon, such as: doormen, maids, shoeshine boys, and train conductors. Today, there's all kinds of opportunities around on both the big and small screen. Heck, there's even UPN on over the air TV, and TVONE and BET on cable! If Al Jolson were around to see what he started, he may very well exclaim, "Holy Mackeral!". Nobody should hang their head in shame over Jolson's stage show as you see, after he took Charlie Chaplain's act to the next level, Jolson was able to hire an African American driver, as well as a cook and maid! Al Jolson IS an African American to remember!

posted by Dave Sypniewski at Thursday, February 02, 2006

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