Bessie Coleman: The brownskin lady bird.

摘要

The purpose of this investigation is to introduce Bessie Coleman (1896-1926) into the study of popular culture while emphasizing that culture as an integral component to the study of American theatre. Coleman was an African American woman who pioneered in American aviation, when the field was in its infancy. Her career choices and adaptations were in direct correlation to the transformation of American society in general, and to entertainment in particular.;Nevertheless, she was successful in inspiring other African Americans to take up military and commercial aviation, thereby opening up yet another avenue to equal opportunities.;Standard historical and analytical texts were used in describing Coleman's milieux. Her personal chronology and achievements, however, have been drawn primarily from unindexed African American newspapers, from extensive oral histories with her relatives, friends and admirers, and from inquiries to archives around the country and abroad.;In order to fully explain Coleman's determination to fly, historical information is presented on aviation, entertainment, political developments, and social and occupational restrictions based on race and gender. It becomes clear that Coleman chose aviation, and "barnstorming" or stunt-flying entertainment forms of aviation, as a means to an end. She found both personal gratification in her daring exploits, and a means to demonstrate graphically the ability of African Americans to compete in any field once irrational prejudices were removed. She insisted that funding for her flights come from the African American community's resources, thus sharing her pride of accomplishment with all members of her race. Just before her untimely death in a crash, she was planning to make a film, which would have captured in a new and more permanent entertainment medium her contributions.