Scripts of Blackness: Early Modern Performance Culture and the Making of Race

Scripts of Blackness explores how early modern mass media turned blackness into a racial category, using impersonation techniques by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic people in England, France, and Spain. It reconstructs three performance techniques and tracks metaphorical strains that provided spectators and participants with new ways of thinking about Afro-diasporic people. These scripts were often gendered and hinged on notions of demonization, exclusion, exploitation, animalization, commodification, sexualization, consensual enslavement, misogynoir, infantilization, and evocative association with other racialized minorities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Scripts of Blackness: Unveiling the Early Modern Mass Media's Role in Constructing Racial Categories
In her groundbreaking book, Scripts of Blackness, Noémie Ndiaye delves into the techniques of impersonation employed by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic individuals in England, France, and Spain during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Through a comparative and transnational lens, Ndiaye reconstructs three specific performance techniques—black-up (cosmetic blackness), blackspeak (acoustic blackness), and black dances (kinetic blackness)—to map out the poetics of these techniques and trace the metaphorical strains that early modern playtexts associated with them. These metaphorical strains, which form the titular scripts of blackness in the book, transcended national borders and served as valuable resources, offering spectators and participants new ways of thinking about the Afro-diasporic people who lived or could potentially live among them.
Ndiaye's analysis reveals that these scripts were often gendered and rooted in notions of demonization, exclusion, exploitation, animalization, commodification, sexualization, consensual enslavement, misogynoir, infantilization, and evocative association with other racialized minorities. By examining the stories that Western Europeans told themselves through performative blackness, Scripts of Blackness seeks to understand the effects of these fictions on early modern Afro-diasporic subjects.
The book begins by tracing the historical origins of blackness as a racial category in the early modern period. Ndiaye argues that the early modern mass media of theatre and performance culture played a crucial role in this process. Theatre and performance were powerful tools for shaping public opinion and disseminating ideas, and they were particularly effective in creating and reinforcing racial hierarchies.
One of the key techniques used by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic people was black-up. Black-up involved the use of makeup, wigs, and other cosmetic accessories to create a visually distinct appearance that was associated with blackness. This technique was used to create a sense of otherness and to distance Afro-diasporic people from the dominant white culture.
Blackspeak was another technique used by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic people. Blackspeak involved the use of language that was associated with blackness, such as slang, dialects, and accents. This technique was used to create a sense of authenticity and to convey the experiences of Afro-diasporic people.
Black dances were also used by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic people. Black dances were often characterized by their rhythmic and energetic movements, which were associated with blackness. These dances were used to express joy, anger, and other emotions and to connect with the audience.
However, Ndiaye argues that these techniques were not simply used to represent Afro-diasporic people but also to justify emerging social hierarchies and power relations in a new world order driven by colonialism and capitalism. The scripts of blackness were used to create a sense of superiority and to legitimize the exploitation and oppression of Afro-diasporic people.
One of the most significant ways in which the scripts of blackness were used to justify social hierarchies was through the use of stereotypes. Stereotypes were used to create a sense of familiarity and to make Afro-diasporic people seem less threatening. For example, Afro-diasporic people were often portrayed as lazy, promiscuous, and violent, which made them seem less desirable to white people.
Another way in which the scripts of blackness were used to justify social hierarchies was through the use of racialized language. Racialized language was used to create a sense of distance and to make Afro-diasporic people seem less human. For example, Afro-diasporic people were often referred to as "*******" or "savages," which made them seem less worthy of respect.
In addition to these techniques, the scripts of blackness were also used to create a sense of fear and anxiety among white people. This was done by portraying Afro-diasporic people as dangerous and unpredictable. For example, Afro-diasporic people were often depicted as criminals or terrorists, which made them seem less safe to white people.
Despite the negative effects of the scripts of blackness, Ndiaye argues that they can also be used to challenge and transform these hierarchies. By recognizing the ways in which the scripts of blackness have been used to justify social hierarchies, we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
One way in which this can be done is by challenging the stereotypes that are used to justify social hierarchies. By challenging these stereotypes, we can help to create a more diverse and inclusive society in which everyone is valued and respected.
Another way in which this can be done is by using language that is more inclusive and respectful. By using language that is more inclusive and respectful, we can help to create a more welcoming and inclusive society in which everyone feels valued and respected.
In conclusion, Scripts of Blackness is a groundbreaking book that explores the techniques of impersonation employed by white performers to represent Afro-diasporic individuals in England, France, and Spain during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Through a comparative and transnational lens, Ndiaye reconstructs three specific performance techniques—black-up, blackspeak, and black dances—to map out the poetics of these techniques and trace the metaphorical strains that early modern playtexts associated with them. By examining the stories that Western Europeans told themselves through performative blackness, Scripts of Blackness seeks to understand the effects of these fictions on early modern Afro-diasporic subjects. While the scripts of blackness were used to justify social hierarchies and power relations, they can also be used to challenge and transform these hierarchies. By recognizing the ways in which the scripts of blackness have been used to justify social hierarchies, we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781512826074