*Heads up* Topic: Clowns & Racism
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Someone on here recently asked:

"Why do clowns have afros?"

Why do clowns have big lips, big noses, and....large feet? And why do these features make us so scared?

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This is something I discuss in my work in relation to the Mammy's smiling face.

I will refrain from using images of clowns as I know many have a fear.

Though I will use images of minstrel characters/blackface.

Firstly, traditional/original representations of clowns are said to be without hair (often bold), they didn't have the large nose, though the big red smile was an original feature.

Let's talk first about 'The Whiteface Clown' and it's intended characterisation.

According to many sources the whiteface clown originated in the 18th cent. and was the most superior of all clowns, also said to be the most beautiful, intelligent and majestic - this was a clown many loved and did not fear.

Also important to note that Whiteface clowns were created and reinvented by white people. The origins of whiteface in its entirety does not have roots in racism or racist traditions.

Let's move on to the Auguste clown.

This character has darker than pale white skin (more olive/pink toned) & is distinguishably less intelligent than the whiteface clown.
Suddenly we start to see the big nose as well as big lips. Though the Auguste clown oft had straight hair

Next: The Minstresly of clowning

Clowns in Blackface. Minstrel shows were a form of entertainment developed in 19th cent. The shows were performed mostly by white people who deragatorily portrayed Black people as bafoonish & lazy. The shows were overtly racist.

Suddenly we start seeing whiteface clowns with afro hair, big lips, big noses and large feet acting stereotypically "Black." What was once entertaining/loveable has become something which we fear. Perhaps the fear was there before, but now exaggerated features work to ensure it.

Afro hair has become a prop, something which has been mocked, a site of speculation and fascination. Modern day images of clowns have helped to propagate racism.

But I wear mine without apology & without need of reason (see display pic)

People are not only afraid of the colour of our skin, they're afraid of our Black features: hair, nose, lips, feet, more private areas - our bodies.

Like clowns, we are both mocked & feared. But what makes clowns so scary is it just the smiling?

Seeing stereotypically "black" features in whiteface (on white skin) does this racial blur breed fear, anxiety, worry?

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