Duolingo French Podcast The Secret Life of Josephine Baker - Josephine, la danseuse
Oct 11, 2023
Stage performer Ariana DeBose joins the podcast to discuss the fascinating life of Josephine Baker. Topics include Josephine's arrival in Paris, her dilemma in the Shonze Lise Theatre, and her rise to fame as a performer and spy.
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Paris Roaring Twenties Magic
- Paris in the late 1920s was a vibrant cultural hub attracting some of the world's greatest artists and entertainers.
- Josephine Baker emerged as the brightest star in this dynamic, artistic environment.
Josephine's Arrival in Paris
- Josephine Baker arrived in Paris at 19 with two dozen other African-American performers.
- They found a more respectful and appreciative environment for black jazz musicians than in the U.S.
Paris vs Jim Crow U.S.
- Jim Crow laws severely limited opportunities for Black Americans in the U.S., making Paris a place of freedom for artists like Josephine.
- Paris offered opportunities unavailable back home due to its more liberal and accepting social climate.