Two African American shoe shine boys playing a gambling game
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Two African American shoe shine boys playing a gambling game
Two African American shoe shine boys playing a gambling game in America Date: circa 1901
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14250091
© Mary Evans/Library of Congress
African American Gambling Shine Shoe 1901
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of leisure and camaraderie between two African American shoe shine boys in America around the turn of the 20th century. Dressed in their crisp uniforms and polishing shoes on a city sidewalk, they take a brief respite from their work to engage in a friendly gambling game. The scene offers a rare glimpse into the lives of African American laborers outside of their professional roles, revealing a complex and multifaceted community that extended beyond the confines of their workplaces. The image, estimated to have been taken around 1901, is a poignant reminder of the unique social dynamics that existed within African American communities during this period. Despite the challenges and discrimination they faced, African Americans found ways to create their own spaces of joy and connection. Gambling, in particular, was a popular pastime that transcended racial and socio-economic boundaries, allowing individuals to come together and form bonds based on shared experiences and mutual enjoyment. This photograph also speaks to the larger historical context of the African American experience in America during this time. The period between Reconstruction and the Harlem Renaissance saw significant progress and setbacks for African Americans, as they struggled for civil rights and economic opportunities in the face of rampant discrimination and segregation. The image of these two shoe shine boys, engaged in a simple yet meaningful activity, serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and adaptability of the African American community in the face of adversity. Overall, this photograph offers a unique and valuable perspective on African American history and culture during a pivotal moment in American history. It invites us to reflect on the complexities of the past and to appreciate the richness and diversity of the human experience.
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