We all remember “Good Times” and we all remember J.J. To a lesser extent do we know Bookman and to an even lesser extent do we know of Bookman’s Christmas dance. The music is interesting because it leaves me wondering which came first: the choreography of the dance or the composition of the brief piece of music? Having said that we realize that we fail to ask ourselves the most obvious question: why is Bookman dancing? Ostensibly we are to accept that Bookman’s bizarre performance may be explained by the simplistic device of a Christmas pageant put on by the inhabitants of the Evans’ apartment building. I really cannot accept that Bookman would voluntarily participate in a pageant or perform such an odd dance without some insipid coercion of the plot, perhaps perpetrated by J.J. Yet we study Bookman’s face and read an earnest expression of joy which seems to compliment the spirit of the festivities. Which brings me to the Santa Claus suit: that Bookman would choose this costume seems to play into his role as the “fat man” of the cast. Alternatively it is an African American appropriation of a traditionally White cultural icon. So here we have Bookman making the sacrifice of deprecating self-abasement through dance to illustrate the prevalent racist constructs of what we as Americans consider our most important of Holidays. Dance dear Bookman, dance.

by Creepy D at 9:37 am under Youtube, general, music, performance, television
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