DANCER AND CLOWN, TOWARD 1890
"Rafael," born into slavery in Cuba (slaves did not have last names), became famous in Paris as a clown.
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social context.
Chocolat dansant dans un bar by Toulouse-Lautrec, 1896
He introduces hip-hop, whose jerky movements come from dances of Caribbean slaves.
Shows had the white clown beat up the black one, a reflection of colonialism. When part of the public became conscious of racism with the Dreyfus case, it rejected such performances. Theater replaced circus as popular entertainment at the same time.
Rafael died destitute and forgotten.
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