What is it about?
The entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr's daring and deferential behavior—reflected most famously in his affiliation with the so-called Rat Pack—allowed him to headline hugely successful benefit shows, rally black supporters of the civil rights movement, help broaden its base, and bring in other celebrities to the cause in the 1950s and 60s, often helping the movement at key moments.
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Why is it important?
This article sheds new light on Davis, revealing how his daring and deferential persona allowed him to raise more money for the civil rights movement than any other celebrity.
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This page is a summary of: Sammy Davis, Jr: Public Image and Politics, Cultural History, April 2015, Edinburgh University Press,
DOI: 10.3366/cult.2015.0083.
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