Essay On Josephine Baker

897 Words2 Pages

Josephine Baker
Without music, our world would be a very quiet place, a chaotic type of place. Music is a direct reflection of the picture of society. Are not we glad that musicians exist in our world? In this world we have different people, different kinds of talent, different races, different kinds of style. One of the greatest things that included in this talent world was Josephine Baker, the first African-American woman to become a world famous entertainer. She impacted our society by her unique style in music and singing. Her leadership and talent was one of the greatest things that a person could contribute in the world. On the contrary, Baker was judged and criticized, and experienced racist reaction by her countrymen. Baker at that …show more content…

Growing up, she is always finding a way to make a living. Her first job was to babysit other people’s kids and work for rich white people, who treated her in a way that is considered inadequate. Baker has had many bad experienced in her early age. At 13 years old, she dropped out of school and applied at The Old Chauffer’s Club as a waitress. Adding to her experienced, she was also a drifter or a bum. However, attracted attention, this lead her to take on for the St. Louis Chorus vaudeville show when she was 15 years old. Her journey began when she show her talent in Louis Chorus vaudeville show. After that, she headed to New York during the Harlem Renaissance, to perform Shuffle Along and The Chocolate Dandies. Baker, however, did not let this chance to go away. She grabbed all the opportunities and offers for her to make her life better. Eventually, Baker created her way up to fame in …show more content…

Baker was the collector of all the information about the German troops. She organized the embassies, parties, ministries, and more gatherings and used her charm to entertain them and gather information about them. Her fame allows her to rub shoulders with those high class people. It is her style to be able to report back what she gathered. Baker, furthermore, became the key to spy the German for France. She was a reliable person to defend her country and she contributed herself to help the France during the

Show More
Related

  • Biography: The Life of Josephine Baker

    1466 Words  | 3 Pages

    Josephine Baker was born to Carrie McDonald, in St. Louis, MO on June 3, 1906. The situation on who Baker’s father is up to debate, it is rumored that Eddie Carson was her father. Eddie Carson was a drummer and had an entertainment act with Baker’s mother. At birth, Baker’s name was Freda Josephine McDonald. (Robinson) Later, Baker changed her name when she got into the entertainment business. In her youth, Baker was always poorly dressed and hungry; she started working at the age of 8 years old. (Whitaker 64) She worked as domestic help for a white family; the woman of the house was reportedly abusive to Baker. At the age of 12, Baker dropped out of school. After Baker dropped out of school, she became homeless. (Wood 241–318)

    Read More

  • Essay On Josephine Baker

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    Josephine Baker was an exceptional woman who never depended on a man. She never hesitated to leave a man when she felt good and ready. In her lifetime she accomplished many great things. She adopted 12 children, served France during World War II, and was an honorable correspondent for the French Resistance. She fought against fascism in Europe during World War II and racism in the United States. She grew up poor and left home at an early age and worked her way onto the stage. Baker was more popular in France than in the states. Audiences in America were racist towards Baker and that’s when she vowed she wouldn’t perform in a place that wasn’t integrated.

    Read More

  • Agnes de Mille’s Impact in the World of Dance

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    Her lasting career was not given to her easily, therefore, creating an inspiring story full of hardships and success. Ever since she was a little girl, her dream was to become a successful and famous dancer. In New York City, when she was trying to fulfill her dream, she was unable to find a job in the theatre department. Instead of being discouraged, she decided to make something good come from it. She choreographed her own routines, created her own costumes, and organized solo recitals for audiences to enjoy. This event led her to the biggest adventure in her life that would later impact the world. She was invited to return back to London to pursue her education in the performing arts, so that she could further improve her talents that would make up her entire career.

    Read More

  • Ella Baker

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    After her graduation from Shaw University, Baker migrated to New York City on the eve of the Great Depression, determined to find an outlet for her intellectual curiosity and growing compassion for social justice. She was deeply moved by the terrible conditions she witnessed on the streets of Harlem during the 1930s; scenes of poverty, hunger, and desperation.

    Read More

  • Josephine Baker's Monologue

    659 Words  | 2 Pages

    I’m Freda Josephine Baker born to Carrie McDonald and Eddie Carson on June 3rd, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, but most of you may know me as Josephine Baker. At the age of 12 I dropped out of school to become an entertainer, yes yes, I remember it like it was yesterday, I was young and ready to become a star. I grew up cleaning houses and babysitting for white families, and they always reminded me “be sure not to kiss the baby”. When I was 13, I got a waitressing job at the Chauffeur’s Club, which was where I met my first husband, our marriage was very brief; I had never hesitated to leave anyone, never depended on any man for anything, that’s for sure.

    Read More

  • The History of Slave Music and its Impact on Modern Music

    2049 Words  | 5 Pages

    Music is an art and a wonderful gift to human race. It soothes, stimulates and makes us feel happy. It affects our moods in many different ways from lullaby to war cry for changes in the society. Music is actually distinct to different people. Above all, it has a transformational importance that is captured in its art and nature. Music draws our emotions and it has an impact of bridging different cultures across the continents. Slave songs were very vital channels through which all kind of information was conveyed both positive and negative.

    Read More

  • How Did Josephine Baker Overcome Discrimination

    1324 Words  | 3 Pages

    Josephine Baker Josephine Baker was an African American woman who had to overcome discrimination and abuse in achieving her dream of becoming a singer and dancer. She did this during the 1920s, when African Americans faced great discrimination. She had a hard childhood. Her personal life was not easy to handle. Furthermore, she overcame poverty and racism to achieve her career dream.

    Read More

  • The Life of Ella Baker

    1846 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ella Baker was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1903. She always had strong opinions, and “followed her own mind”. However, she was influenced by her grandmother growing up, and this contributed to her sense of social justice and racism. Her grandmother, who had once been a slave, told her granddaughter stories of her own years in slavery. Her grandmother had been whipped for refusing to marry a man picked by her slave owner (SNCC). This story and others like it inspired Baker throughout her life, and led to many of the incredible things she did. Ella and her parents moved to Littleton, North Carolina when she was eight. Sadly, her father stayed behind for his job. The public schools for black children during this time were not sufficient. Her parents wanted to send her and her brother and sister to boarding schools. They both worked hard to acquire this. Finally, when Baker turned fifteen she was sent to Shaw University, in North Carolina (SNCC). Being the bright, intelligent student that she was, she had excellent grades, and was top in her class. She expressed an interest in being a medical missionary, but this would not have been realistic. After graduating in 1927 as valedictorian, Baker headed to New York City (Richman). She was quite brilliant and hoped to find some opportunities in New York that would help her do something worthwhile with her life.

    Read More

  • How Did The Swing Era Impact Society

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment

    Read More

  • Josephine Baker

    2411 Words  | 5 Pages

    Later, her mother had three children with another man, Arthur Martin: Richard, Margaret and Willie Mae. Ms. Baker was enrolled in a school in St. Louis until the age of six. When the family was experiencing financial difficulties, she was sent to perform domestic chores in the homes of white families. "When only seven, she worked for a woman who frequently beat her, made her sleep in the cellar, and who, after Josephine accidentally broke some china, thrust her hands into scalding water. Neighbors, hearing her agonizing screams, called the police and she was taken to the hospital."# By the age of ten, she had worked as a kitchen helper, baby-sitter and maid.

    Read More

  • Essay On Shirley Chisholm

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shirley Chisholm was a crucial figure in Black politics, and the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. She defeated civil rights leader James Farmer on November 5, 1968, and served 7 terms in the House of Representatives till 1982. Also, she was the first woman and person of color to run for President. Chisholm is a model of independence and honesty and has championed several issues including civil rights, aid for the poor, and women 's rights.

    Read More

  • Biography: The Life And Biography Of Ella Fitzgerald

    1282 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ella attended Sunday school and Bible study in addition to worship services, Here, Ella was introduced to music and singing. In school, Ella liked to dance and perform for others. When she entered fourth grade at a public school, she did not have a lot a lot friends because she did not know how to talk to others without hurting their feelings. She had to go to the school that was less expensive because they did not have that kind of money to spend on a private school. Ella had been singing since she was 4 years...

    Read More

  • Drug Use at Music Festivals

    1788 Words  | 4 Pages

    Since the earliest days of human civilization music has been a key tool for communication of stories which carried emotions through them. If we think back to our youngest years of life music has surrounded us whether it was from our parents singing us lullabies or from some sort of toy that played music we can say that musical melodies have helped shape or lives one way or another. Once we start growing up and figuring out who we are our musical preferences change; some people like classical and some like punk. We start to befriend people who like the same music as us and eventually we may attend a musical event. Our lives somewhat revolve around the music that we listen to.

    Read More

  • Music and Cultural Identity

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music plays a huge role in the structure of a society. It can have both negative and positive influence on cultures and communities. First, musical sounds and instruments can be a dividing factor between the people within the same culture. These opposing social and economic identities within these cultures can lead unnecessary animosity between the members. However, music can also be one of the forces that unite members of a culture and provide a sense pride for everyone. This makes it easier for people to display their identification to that culture.

    Read More

  • The Important Role of Music in Society

    447 Words  | 1 Pages

    Music is an essential part of life because of the expression it allows people to have, its entertainment, and its therapeutic ways for the world.

    Read More

More about Essay On Josephine Baker

Open Document