Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

The third book of the August Wilson Century Cycle series did not fail to catch my attention at all. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom exemplifies the Roaring 20's through the African- American perspective and the beauty of jazz and blues comes alive. Set in 1927, the play revolves around the “Mother of Blues” Ma Rainey and her band including Toledo, Leevee, Slow Drag, Cutler and her manager, Mr. Irvin. Although music is one of the highlighted themes of the play, the deeper message is the issues of true freedom that blacks had trouble gaining in “white America”. Even if they are famous, they still get treated with disrespect and are degraded because of the color of their skin.
Some of the most memorable parts of the play include Leevee's soliloquy in the middle of the book and the ending, which shocks the reader and makes them question the motives of trying to fit in a society that does not allow you to.
I have been getting into the habit of reading a lot more plays. This being the second Wilson play, alongside Fences that has caught my attention. I am definitely going to continue reading the entire series to see how Wilson is able to capture the highlights of Black America through each decade of the 1900's.