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A little devil in America : notes in praise of black performance / Hanif Abdurraqib.

By: Publisher: New York : Random House, 2021Description: xii, 300 pages ; 22 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781984801197
  • 1984801198
Subject(s): LOC classification:
  • PN1590.B53 A238 2021
Contents:
PERFORMING MIRACLES: On times I have forced myself to dance -- On marathons and tunnels -- On going home as performance -- An epilogue for Aretha -- SUSPENDING DISBELIEF: This one goes out to all the magical negroes -- Sixteen ways of looking at blackface -- On certain and uncertain movement of limbs -- Nine considerations of black people in space -- ON MATTERS OF COUNTRY/PROVENANCE: The Josephine Baker monument can never be large enough -- It is safe to say I have lost many games of spades -- My favorite thing about Don Shirley -- I would like to give Merry Clayton her roses -- Beyonce performs at the Super Bowl and I think about all the jobs I've hated -- ANATOMY OF CLOSENESS // CHASING BLOOD: The beef sometimes begins with a dance move -- Fear: a crown -- On the performance of softness - Board up the doors, tear down the walls -- CALLINGS TO REMEMBER.
Summary: "A Little Devil in America is an urgent project that unravels all modes and methods of black performance, in this moment when black performers are coming to terms with their value, reception, and immense impact on America. With sharp insight, humor, and heart, Abdurraqib examines how black performance happens in specific moments in time and space--midcentury Paris, the moon, or a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio. At the outset of this project, Abdurraqib became fascinated with clips of black minstrel entertainers like William Henry Lane, better known as Master Juba. Knowing there was something more complicated and deep-seated in the history and legacy of minstrelsy, Abdurraqib uncovered questions and tensions that help to reveal how black performance pervades all areas of American society. Abdurraqib's prose is entrancing and fluid as he leads us along the links in his remarkable trains of thought. A Little Devil in America considers, critiques, and praises performance in music, sports, writing, comedy, grief, games, and love"-- Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Current library Shelving location Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode
Book Book NMC Library Stacks PN1590 .B53 A238 2021 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 33039001460137

Includes bibliographical references and index.

PERFORMING MIRACLES: On times I have forced myself to dance -- On marathons and tunnels -- On going home as performance -- An epilogue for Aretha -- SUSPENDING DISBELIEF: This one goes out to all the magical negroes -- Sixteen ways of looking at blackface -- On certain and uncertain movement of limbs -- Nine considerations of black people in space -- ON MATTERS OF COUNTRY/PROVENANCE: The Josephine Baker monument can never be large enough -- It is safe to say I have lost many games of spades -- My favorite thing about Don Shirley -- I would like to give Merry Clayton her roses -- Beyonce performs at the Super Bowl and I think about all the jobs I've hated -- ANATOMY OF CLOSENESS // CHASING BLOOD: The beef sometimes begins with a dance move -- Fear: a crown -- On the performance of softness - Board up the doors, tear down the walls -- CALLINGS TO REMEMBER.

"A Little Devil in America is an urgent project that unravels all modes and methods of black performance, in this moment when black performers are coming to terms with their value, reception, and immense impact on America. With sharp insight, humor, and heart, Abdurraqib examines how black performance happens in specific moments in time and space--midcentury Paris, the moon, or a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio. At the outset of this project, Abdurraqib became fascinated with clips of black minstrel entertainers like William Henry Lane, better known as Master Juba. Knowing there was something more complicated and deep-seated in the history and legacy of minstrelsy, Abdurraqib uncovered questions and tensions that help to reveal how black performance pervades all areas of American society. Abdurraqib's prose is entrancing and fluid as he leads us along the links in his remarkable trains of thought. A Little Devil in America considers, critiques, and praises performance in music, sports, writing, comedy, grief, games, and love"-- Provided by publisher.

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