Minstrelsy 

Minstrel performance was one of the first beginnings of African American theater although it was not to sensitive on the content it became popular due to the fact that Europeans thought it was entertainment to see blacks typecast as lazy, stupid, Manish, wild, serving them and going out of their way to please their “boss” or “massa”. Although the minstrel shows were extremely popular, being consistently packed with families from all walks of life and every ethnic group, they were also very controversial. Racial integrationists labeled the production as falsely showing happy slaves while at the same time making fun of them, segregationists thought such shows were disrespectful of social norms, portrayed runaway slaves with sympathy and would undermine the race.
The typical minstrel performance followed a three-act structure. The troupe first danced onto stage then exchanged wisecracks and sang songs. The second part featured a variety of entertainments, including a pun-filled stump speech. The final act consisted of a slapstick musical plantation skit or a send-up of a popular play. Minstrel songs and sketches featured several stereotype characters, most popularized the slave and the dandy. These were further divided into sub-archetypes such as the mammy, her counterpart the old darky, the provocative mulatto wench, and the black soldier.

These buffoonish caricatures of African-Americans help support the notion of black inferiority. It’s hard for people who are close minded to reconcile the existence of a Barack Obama. American pop culture has presented us with varying depictions of black figures, families, and lifestyle. Some have been met with harsh criticism while others have been heralded as groundbreaking. In the 1970’s there was “Sanford & Son,” “Good Times,” “What’s happening?” and “The Jefferson’s.” The 1980’s saw “The Cosby Show” shake up the way in which blacks were presented on television by giving us a middle class, educated black family. Ultimately several clones diluted the effect “Cosby” had. During the 1990’s, the portrayal of blacks on television entered a dismal wasteland of bad sitcoms (“Homeboys in Outer Space,” “The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer”) where blacks were reduced to goofy sidekicks. This is where revered director Spike Lee, no stranger to race and controversy, takes his aim in Bamboozled. In the movie, Lee satirizes the entertainment industry and their tactics as well as the portrayals and perceptions of blacks in entertainment including Minstrelsy. Lee’s Bamboozled is an attempt at satire that misfires in the eyes of critics and, as a result, is a piece that is viewed as racist. The movie was very raw and uncut and Lee took to the extremes to get his point across.

Minstrelsy by Tishia M November 21, 2011

Minstrel Cycle 

n. The recurring cycle of changes in the behavioral patterns of certain individuals that is repeated roughly once every 28 days; marked by a strange attraction to wear European Renaissance style clothing, play the lute or lyre, and the desire to serenade rich people.

PMS, or Preminstrel Syndrome relates to the physical and psychological symptoms, including reciting poetry, talking in Shakespearean language, strong attraction to flamboyant clothing and stringed instruments, and occasional outbursts of heralding, that occur from 2 to 7 days before the onset of minstrelization.

"Why is Dave standing on the balcony performing such a ridiculous musical number in that awful green tunic?"
"Oh, he's just on his minstrel cycle, nothing to worry about."

Minstrel Cycle by Steve the Bard September 24, 2009

Minstrel's Bane 

"The Minstrel's Bane" is an addendum to the Palma Sutra, the ancient vedic discourse on self-pleasure. "The Minstrel's Bane" is when you slip your flute into the case of the novice piper and allow him to practice his scales.

Apernam, though displeased with Shakti's falling prey to the Minstrel's Bane, forgave him, for he too was once fooled by the False Celery.

Minstrel's Bane by boatbutter March 9, 2007

pink minstrel 

A straight man, masquerading as a gay man, akin to the black and white minstrels who were white performers that put on makeup to imitate black performers.

Sean Lock turned to David Walliams with fire in his eyes and announced “don’t ever touch me again you pink minstrel.”

pink minstrel by Dismal Scientist September 23, 2023

bum minstrel 

A small round-shaped lump of poo after a "follow through"

ERIC: Have you farted?
ALEX: Yes
ERIC: Lovely!
ALEX: I think I dropped a bum minstrel
ERIC: Thanks for that!

bum minstrel by Eric Alex March 27, 2007

Minstreltainment 

The act of cooning for any form of entertainment.

"I watched the 2009 BET Awards last night, it was a fine piece of minstreltainment."

Minstreltainment by Mr2Tek3 July 28, 2009

Minstrel 

a medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry to a musical accompaniment for the nobility.

The minstrels visited towns with their battle stories often.

Minstrel by Kreativebass July 31, 2018