The Dancing Boy: (The story behind an embarrasing photograph)

I found this alarming picture of me, aged 4, when I was going through old photo albums. In one context, it could be considered quaintly racist: a young black boy performing for some random white people.

Here’s the story (which I don’t remember). The time is the early 70s (check out the pianist’s beehive hairdo!). The place is Florida, during a family vacation. Apparently, there was some dance contest. According to my mother, I spontaneously jumped up out of the audience and started dancing. I won an award of some kind, a loving cup that has been long lost.  Little me is full of pride and joy at winning award. I miss that little boy’s sense of excitement.