.
What separates these two scenes is rather than Harry being called into Shelby's office, he peaks in on his own accord while his parents are discussing his father's plan to runaway; Shelby calling Harry, "Jim Crow" (a character in minstrel shows during this time) and also Shelby's quickness to give up Uncle Tom and Harry without much debate. The term Jim Crow "originated in 1830 when a White minstrel show performer, Thomas "Daddy" Rice, blackened his face with burnt cork and danced a jig while singing the lyrics to the song, Jump Jim Crow". Akin to Bamboozled, Harry tap-dances around gleefully making buck and wing movements like Man-Ray, for the entertainment of the men as they speak in Shelby's office. In fact, Harry's ability to dance in this manner is what attracts Haley to take him (Harry) in the first place. This form of dance was "originated by the White man's characterization of plantation slaves and free blacks during the era of minstrel shows"2. Considering the film's release date, it is safe to assume that this was Pollard's way of characteristically reminding the audience Harry was indeed a black child because he possessed this distinct talent. .
Jim Crow isn't the only racially stereotypical character that is portrayed in the film. According to "Blackface!", in total there are eight recurring racial black stereotypes: Jim Crow, Zip Coon, Mammy, Uncle Tom, Buck, Wench/Jezebel, Mulatto, and Pickaninny. As previously mentioned, Harry appears as the Jim Crow character literally and figuratively, but also as "the mulatto", as does Eliza and George. The mulatto, described as a "mixed-blood male or female often portrayed as a tragic figure who either intentionally or unintentionally passes for White until they discover they have Negro blood or are discovered by another character to be Black", is primarily seen through Eliza and George (both played by white actors).
