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The Forgotten Legacy of Joice Heth How a Slave Fueled Barnum’s Fame
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February 25, 2024October 10, 2024America, Capitalism, Equality, Freedom, Gender, History, Media, Racism, Rights, Women

The Forgotten Legacy of Joice Heth: How a Slave Fueled Barnum’s Fame

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P.T. Barnum’s rise to fame is an emblematic reflection of the deeply entrenched inequalities of 19th-century America. Barnum, known as the “Great American Showman,” capitalized on the public’s thirst for spectacle and curiosity, transforming the entertainment landscape with his audacious displays of oddities and curiosities. He is often remembered for founding what became “The Greatest...

The Tale of Joice Heth P.T. Barnum’s First Great Hoax
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February 25, 2023September 30, 2024America, Capitalism, History, Media, Racism, Science, Women

The Tale of Joice Heth: P.T. Barnum’s First Great Hoax

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Setting the Stage for Spectacle The cobblestone streets of New York City, 1835, echoed with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the constant hum of merchants, hawkers, and onlookers. On every corner, something extraordinary vied for attention: from traveling entertainers juggling fire, to street preachers proclaiming salvation, to peddlers offering miracle cures. Yet amidst this...