Torchy brown in dixie to harlem
Date
Credits
- Jackie Ormes Illustrator
Format
- comic 25
Locations Made
- United States 727
- Chicago 72
- Pittsburgh
- Illinois 109
- Pennsylvania
Links
Jackie Ormes, the first black female cartoonist, brings feminist themes to the forefront in "Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem," a comic strip that ran briefly from 1937 to 1938 in the Pittsburgh Courier and the Chicago Defender. Torchy, a determined teenage girl, challenges traditional gender roles as she pursues her dreams. Ormes skillfully portrays Torchy as both starry-eyed and empowered, emphasizing the resilience of young women. Inspired by her friend's cousin, Torchy embarks on a journey to the Cotton Club in Harlem, creating a humorous yet insightful narrative about the real struggles of individuals moving from the South to the North. The strip addresses racial identity challenges as Torchy attempts to pass for white, offering a critical commentary on the socio-political issues of the time.
