Cuffee Dancing for Eels – Catharine Market (Life in New York) 1857

Thomas Worth created the lithograph "Cuffee Dancing for Eels - Catharine Market (Life in New York)" during a time of immense social change and racial tension in the United States. Worth made his career depicting the realities of urban life, and here he offers a glimpse into the lives of Black individuals in 19th-century New York City. The term 'Cuffee', a derogatory term for black men, reflects the pervasive racism of the period, while the act of dancing for eels highlights the limited economic opportunities available to people of color. Worth's print raises challenging questions about power dynamics and social mobility. Is the dancer putting on a show to survive? What does it mean to perform for an audience that devalues you as a human being? We are left to consider how this image not only documents a moment in time but also reflects the ongoing struggle for dignity, equality, and economic freedom.