The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la cible
Oct 24, 2023
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Ariana DeBose, an artist finding her place as the world teeters toward war. Josephine Baker faces intimidation from Hitler's rise, finds solace in the countryside, reflects on her decision to leave the US for France, and confronts hate with a brave performance. Josephine is visited by a mysterious visitor, leaving her feeling nervous.
Josephine Baker refused to be intimidated by hate and racism, continuing to perform and spread moments of joy and hope in the face of growing darkness.
Josephine Baker recognized the need to protect herself, fellow artists, and the French people, using her performances to bring a glimmer of hope in the face of war's imminent arrival.
Deep dives
Josephine's Encounter with German Police
As Josephine Baker continued her tour in Munich in the 1930s, she faced increasing hate and racism. After her show, she was approached by German police officers who handed her a piece of paper detailing the rise of Adolf Hitler's party and the spread of hatred towards marginalized groups. Undeterred, Josephine refused to be intimidated and continued to perform, spreading moments of joy and hope to counter the growing darkness.
Josephine's Fight Against Hate
Seeking solace and a break from the political climate, Josephine retreated to her countryside retreat in southwest France. However, even there, discussions about Hitler's actions and the threat of invasion persisted. Despite the growing concerns, Josephine felt compelled to keep performing and providing moments of respite for people. She took on a new show with a different tone, determined to fight back against the spreading hate. When confronted with a pamphlet featuring her image that labeled her as a threat, Josephine realized she had become a target and recognized the need to protect not only herself, but also her fellow artists and the French people. With the outbreak of war, Josephine found herself at the border, performing for the troops and bringing a glimmer of hope in the face of war's imminent arrival.