Mask shaped sign used in a Black Men of Labor parade in New Orleans, LA
- Manufactured by
- Unidentified
- Used by
- Black Men of Labor, Inc., American, founded 1994
- Date
- 2012
- Medium
- cloth, plastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 35 × 17 × 10 in. (88.9 × 43.2 × 25.4 cm)
- Caption
- The Black Men of Labor (BMOL) is an exclusively all-male krewe, or parading group in New Orleans founded in 1993. The founding generation of the organization all came from building arts trade families and the group originally paraded the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in honor of the working men and women of New Orleans.
- This mask was used by BMOL members during their 2013 annual parade, which had an African-inspired theme. The 2013 theme also reflects the BMOL’s recognition of and connection to the African diaspora.
- The mission of the BMOL is to "educate, preserve and perpetuate the rich African and African American culture of New Orleans traditional Jazz music. Through arts and culture the BMOL promote civic engagement and creates opportunity for those interested in building sustainable income and wealth" (Black Men of Labor 2013). BMOL is considered one of many benevolent societies that were created in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to help free and enslaved Africans cope with financial hardships.
- Description
- A mask shaped sign used in a Black Men of Labor parade in New Orleans. The mask lacks openings in the face and is not meant to be worn. The mask is predominantly orange and white with black, brown and white sequence adhered to the front cheeks and mouth area. Red, blue, green, orange and silver sequence are adhered to the bridge and nose area. The eyes of the mask are yellow. The mask has orange horns and a white crown. Blue, pink, red, green and orange colored pompoms are adhered to the eyes, chin and top of the mask. The back of the mask is covered in leopard print fabric.
- Place used
- New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Place made
- New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Memorabilia and Ephemera
- Type
- signs
- Topic
- Associations and institutions
- Building Arts
- Communities
- Costume
- Fraternal organizations
- Holidays and festivals
- Jazz (Music)
- Labor
- Men
- Ornamentation
- Social reform
- Societies
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Black Men of Labor, Inc.
- Object number
- 2015.260.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- Unknown - Restrictions Possible
- Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.