Why did Ben Vereen’s performance tribute to Bet Williams, one of black musical theater's earliest and greatest performers, at President Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural Gala in 1981 cause such a large controversy for both whites and blacks? Just as Williams had done Vereen came on stage as a typical minstrel show character in baggy clothes and blackface makeup, and he proceeded to shuffle about the stage. If Vereen had not done this on such a grand stage, a presidential inaugural gala, another generation may have never learned of Bert Williams' contributions to the birth of musical theatre and how integral black performers were in its development. Was it right for Vereen to appear in blackface even though he knew it might be controversial? Was it wrong because he knew it would cause a great turmoil and angry reactions?
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