African dodger facts for kids
The African dodger was a type of carnival game played in the USA. It was also known by other very offensive names. In this game, an African-American man would put his head through a curtain. Players would then try to hit him with objects like eggs or baseballs.
This game was very popular from the 1880s until the 1960s. Even though it involved hitting someone, which could cause serious injuries, many people played it. The people who were hit often got hurt.
How the Game Worked
The main idea of the African dodger game was simple. A person, usually an African-American man, would stand behind a curtain. Only his head would be visible through a hole. Players would then throw things at his head. The goal was for the person to try and dodge, or avoid, the thrown objects.
This game was seen as entertainment. However, it was very unfair and dangerous for the person dodging. It showed a lack of respect for people's safety and dignity.
Changes Over Time
By 1910, the African dodger game started to become less common. An article in Popular Mechanics magazine mentioned that it was getting "too old." New games began to replace it. One popular replacement was the dunk tank.
In a dunk tank game, an African-American person would sit on a platform above a tank of water. Players would throw balls at a target. If they hit the target, the person would fall into the water. This new game was still problematic. The magazine article showed a dunk tank game called "Drop the Chocolate Drop." It said the game was "Amusing to All but the Victim." This shows that even the new games could be unkind.
Smaller versions of the African dodger game were also sold. These kits allowed people to play the game at home.
In Popular Culture
The African dodger game has appeared in different stories and shows.
- It has been shown in comic strips and cartoons. This includes famous characters like Donald Duck and Popeye.
- Kurt Vonnegut wrote about the game in his 1973 novel Breakfast of Champions.
- Norman Maclean also mentioned the game in his 1976 novel A River Runs Through It.
See Also
- Dunk tank
