![[dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_473nrD5vEv8/S5hAR2x0JVI/AAAAAAAACVo/caHZJMX-j9o/s400/dan-truett-mcwhorter.jpg)
This picture was taken in the early 1900's at Coney Island. The picture shows a group of Filipinos. It appears that these people are actually some sort of "display" at the theme park. Perhaps a very early version of a reality show.
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This is the strangest picture of Coney Island I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine what they were doing there.
I think I *CAN* imagine, given the year. I have this ugly feeling they were a 'come look at the savages from a primitive far away isle' exhibition.
ReplyDeleteSuch ethnographic displays were common at World's Fairs for several decades. Sometimes they were in the carnival part ("The Midway" or "The Pay Streak" etc.)rather than the earnest exhibits. And Coney Island developed as a sort of permanent, commercial, World's Fair midway.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they are having more fun than the visitors. just like our Tweetsie railroad in NC the actors enjoy their parts very much.
ReplyDeleteWow, I like that word, "ethnographic."
ReplyDeleteSort of like a living National Geographic exhibit.
Actually we still do sort of the same thing today - especially in tourist destinations.
Several years ago, when our daughter was in elementary school, we went to Hawaii and attended a luau. The participants dressed up in grass skirts and climbed the coconut tress and roasted a pig, and danced, etc.
And every year in Salem, Massachusetts, they re-enact the witch trials.
I guess some things never change, even in these days of "political correctness."
it looks like women were not allowed to see this display?
ReplyDeleteWonder what the tiny girl on the left is doing or saying to attact all those men's attention
ReplyDeleteThis makes me bit sad...how willing were they to be there? How were they treated when the crowds went home?
ReplyDeleteThe area they are in is fenced and the area surrounding the onlookers is fenced. I'll bet they had to buy tickets to come in an look. Just like a zoo... so sad.
ReplyDeleteEarly 1900's would be right after the Philippines became a US "possession" as a result of the Spanish American War.
ReplyDeleteThe Philippines were a topic of debates in politics for years after, and figured heavily in the news for years as result of ongoing pacification campaigns.
As our most eastward "protectorate" I'm sure the natives generated a lot of interest.
After such a long time of waiting and anticipating the arrival of your dream tractor, I think we deserve a photo of your handsome self sitting on the tractor. That would be like the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I agree, they were "on display" for their "weirdidity." In Montana, right next to the Blackfoot reservation, in the 50's, they'd pay native americans to "put it on" for tourists.
ReplyDeleteI want a photo of Mrs. PJM sitting on the tractor..
ReplyDeleteMake sure you show her how to run it. My son got a garden tractor to mow their large yard. He showed his wife how to use it, and now he hardly ever gets to ride it anymore. The lawn never looked so good.
I remember visiting the Little Big Horn battle field, they had an Indian village set up near the entrance with the Indians in full regalia, Eagle feather head dress and all. They were sitting around a fire pit (no fire), but they would let kids pose with them.
I'm Filipino and this was a very disturbing picture for me to see. But, considering the "political correctness" and ignorance of that era, I'm not a bit surprised. However, I find it funny that to these patrons, they may have thought all Filipinos looked like this at that time. These seem to be an aboriginal group from the northern/southern provinces.
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