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History of the Inter-Cooperative Council of Ann Arbor

The Dragon

Item

Title
The Dragon
Circus Name
The Union Circus
Date
May 8th, 1909
Location of Event
State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Creator
Emile Reed Low, collector
Subject
Two white men in blackface guide students in a dragon costume down State Street
Description
The image is inscribed "THE DRAGON". As part of the Union Circus' parade, students constructed a long dragon costume to walk down State Street. The guides, both white men, wear a potentially Asian-inspired outfit and some form of blackface. Though unclear, it's probable these students are mimicking Asian men.
Rights Holder
Bentley Historical Library
References
Photograph, 1907-1911, Emile Reed Low photograph series, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
Item sets
Historic Circuses in Ann Arbor
Historic Circuses in Ann Arbor (Local)
Media
The Dragon

Tags

Union Circus University of Michigan blackface costume Stowell Cortland Stebbins scrapbooks Ann Arbor historic buildings dragon asian yellowface whitewashing State Street Emile Reed Low

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