In the pantheon of 20th-century icons, few figures embody the convergence of artistry, activism, and audacity as compellingly as Josephine Baker. April 12 marks the 50th anniversary of her death.
Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1906, Baker’s journey from the segregated streets of America to the illustrious stages of Paris is a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.
Baker’s early life was marked by poverty and racial discrimination. By the age of eight, she was working as a domestic helper, witnessing firsthand the brutal realities of racial violence, including the infamous East St. Louis riots. These formative experiences instilled in her a resolve to seek a life beyond the confines of systemic oppression.
In the mid-1920s, Baker emigrated to France, where she found an environment more receptive to her talents and less constrained by racial prejudices. Her breakthrough came in 1925 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, where her performance in “La Revue Nègre” captivated audiences. However, it was her 1927 act at the Folies Bergère, dancing in a skirt adorned with artificial bananas, that cemented her status as an icon of the Jazz Age. This provocative performance challenged and satirized the colonialist and racist stereotypes of the time, turning them on their head with a blend of humor and sensuality.
Beyond the stage, Baker’s life was characterized by a profound commitment to social justice. During World War II, she joined the French Resistance, leveraging her celebrity status to gather intelligence. She attended high-profile events, charming Axis officials and relaying critical information written in invisible ink on her sheet music. Her château in the Dordogne became a haven for resistance fighters and Jewish refugees, further exemplifying her dedication to the cause. For her wartime efforts, Baker was awarded the Resistance Medal, the Croix de Guerre, and was named a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.
In the post-war years, Baker’s activism took center stage. She became a vocal advocate for civil rights, notably speaking at the 1963 March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Dressed in her Free French Forces uniform, she addressed the crowd, highlighting the stark contrasts between her experiences in Europe and the racial injustices prevalent in the United States. Her speech underscored the pervasive discrimination she faced in her homeland, despite her international acclaim.
Baker’s personal life mirrored her public commitment to unity and diversity. She adopted twelve children from various ethnic backgrounds, referring to them as her “Rainbow Tribe.” This unconventional family was her embodiment of a vision where racial and cultural harmony prevailed, serving as a living rebuke to the era’s segregationist ideologies.
In 2021, Baker’s multifaceted legacy was further solidified when she became the first Black woman to be inducted into France’s Panthéon, the nation’s mausoleum of revered figures. This honor recognized not only her contributions to the arts but also her unwavering dedication to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. French President Emmanuel Macron, in his eulogy, lauded her as a “fighter, an artist, a woman who defended the idea of humanity.”
Josephine Baker, was a pioneering performer and activist, was openly bisexual and maintained relationships with both men and women, including notable figures like Frida Kahlo. Her unapologetic embrace of her sexuality and her defiance of societal norms made her an enduring icon within the queer community.
Josephine Baker’s life is a compelling narrative of resilience and transformation her performances and activism challenged conventional boundaries, inspiring generations of LGBTQ+ individuals to live authentically and fight for equality. From the stages of Paris to the clandestine corridors of the French Resistance, and the forefront of the civil rights movement, she navigated and transcended the complexities of identity, race, and nationality. Her legacy endures as a beacon of courage and a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have in challenging and reshaping societal norms.
Cover: A stylized depiction of Baker in a poster by Jean Chassaing, from 1931.
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