The Web 1985 "Phi Gamma Delta"

The Web 1985 "Phi Gamma Delta"

This photo from The Web 1985 shows members of Phi Gamma Delta posing in front of the Bill "Bojangles" Robinson statue in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. Bill Robinson was a famous tap dancer and actor and a native of Richmond. He was arguably the best-known and highest-paid black entertainer in the first half of the twentieth century, and throughout his life he worked to combat racial barriers and racial prejudice. In this photo, fraternity brothers seem to be holding a hand-painted caricature of Bill Robinson dressed in a top hat and skirt while holding a spear, and "Mr. Bojangles" is listed as the 37th member underneath the photo. It is notable that the fraternity brother holding the caricature on the right hand side is a black student.

Virginia Baptist Historical Society, The Web (1985): 180. Available online via the UR Scholarship Repository.

The Web, University of Richmond

1985

English

Web.180-1985.png

Richmond (Va.)