Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Essay

August Wilson was an American playwright who documents the exploitation of African Americans and depicts the black experience during the twentieth century in his (DATE) play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In this production, Ma Rainey, the singer and leader of her all African American band, is managed by two white producers, Sturdyvant and Irvin, whose only motives are to capitalize on her talent. Throughout the two-act play, Ma Rainey’s band members tell stories that epitomize the black experience. Wilson uses Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom to comment on social problems in America such as the imbalance of race, religion, and economics during the 1920’s. Wilson communicates these messages by saturating the play with racial tension, religious disagreements
After attempting to take a cab, subsequent to a car accident between the three and an unknown man, the police get involved and the two parties tell completely opposite stories. The officer asserts that Sylvester ran a stop light, causing the car crash. Moreover, he states that Ma Rainey became physical towards a cab driver and consequently he is charging her with assault and battery (I.50). Ma Rainey and her posse illustrate a different narrative. Sylvester argues that they weren’t at fault for the car accident. (Quote). Additionally, Ma firmly asserts the cab driver wasn’t pushed; instead, he fell as Ma was trying to open the door because the cabbie denied their travel due to the color of their skin (I.51). African Americans have historically struggled with unfair treatment from powerful authorities. In Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, this truth is shown through the police threatening to take Ma Rainey to jail, but changing his mind only after he speaks with her white manager who resorts to bribery. After Irvin slides the officer a bill, the policeman decides that the problem is resolved: “As long as someone is responsible for them. No need to come down [to the precinct house]” (I.52). This scenario depicts one that African Americans are very familiar with: systematic corruption. Irvin, white, saves ma