Racism in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson

Play satirizes Jackson, but insults Native Americans

By Albert BenderThe play, although claiming to be satirical, is an extreme exercise in racism, in that all the Native American characters are demeaned and caricatured. Historic Indian leaders are portrayed as slow–witted and dull-minded, ever ready to sell their tribal homelands for a few paltry blankets and dream catchers. The great Muscogee Creek patriot Menawa, who fought Jackson’s forces at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814 and was wounded seven times, is depicted wearing a dime-store headdress and signing a treaty he refused to even consider (keep in mind that Jackson’s armies were composed overwhelmingly of Tennesseans). The valiant, iconic Sauk leader Black Hawk, who fought a war to hold his ancestral lands in 1832 against the American military juggernaut, is seen as a traitorous collaborator disposing of his tribe’s birthright.

The drama is permeated with crude, artless anti-Indian humor. Euro-American audiences have frolicked at this dreadful performance in its off-Broadway run, to the extent that an internationally prominent Native American literary figure, a good friend of mine who attended the play to review it, left halfway through the performance because she felt in physical jeopardy.

Some critics have pointed out in defense of this sordid drama that other groups are also lampooned—Spaniards, gays, Southerners in general and rich whites. But where are the black people? Jackson was as much pro-slavery as he was anti-Indian, and the Hermitage was maintained by African-American slaves. There are no black characters in the play at all, much less any demeaning African-American stereotypes. Can anyone imagine a white audience in this day and time evincing riotous, knee-slapping guffaws at the portrayal of demeaning stereotypes of African-Americans or any other race in this country? If there had been even one demeaning stereotype of black Americans, there would have been a national uproar.Comment:  The same analysis applies to The Dudesons and every other "spoof" or "satire" we've seen recently. As you probably know, I've ripped the "satire" argument in postings such as these:

Deadliest Warrior vs. The Dudesons
The Dudesons, Polish jokes, and minstrel shows
Okay to stereotype in "satires"?

Again, the key point that no "spoof" defender has ever addressed: "If there had been even one demeaning stereotype of black Americans, there would have been a national uproar." Yet we not only tolerate the equivalent Native stereotypes, we defend and champion them. Why is racism against one American minority still perfectly acceptable?

For more on the play, see Stereotypes in Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson Reviewed.