Seeing Is Believing

Back in my old graduate school days, a hot topic for my advisor was the concept of seeing and performing "The Other." In particular, she was fascinated by the portrayal of American Indians in early America, at such events as the World's Colombian Exposition and in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In learning about the Wild West shows, I developed an absurd interest in the production and art of the show poster, which lead to my fascination with the performance of freak shows.

So it was with great delight that I discovered a new book, American Sideshow : An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers by Marc Hartzman, which was chock full of photos and biographies of the stars of the circus freak shows. It is a quick read (I devoured it in one evening before bed), with lots of medical details and uplifting stories of how the human spirit can overcome unbelievable odds. These stories, of course, make up for the tragic tales of unscrupulous people completely taking advantage of others, most poignantly being the biography of Julia Pastrana, a story that never fails to make my blood boil by the depths of cruelty involved. (As a aside, I am thrilled that a theatre group has been making headlines with their brilliant and acclaimed production, The True History of The Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, The Ugliest Woman in the World. If it is near you, GO SEE IT!)

While devoting lots of coverage to the golden age of freak shows, the author also shares a wealth of information on today's sideshow culture, which feature the self-made freak, people who modify their body, or have learned strange talents.

After reading this book, you can have a wonderful debate about the ethics of putting people out on display. For me, the bottom line is that most of these performers were earning a living, and were living in a community that accepted them rather than being locked away in some hospital or a relatives' attic.

Is that a fair trade?