it revolutionized the perceptual habits of the nation." (Douglas, 9) American culture was segregated by race and ethnicity when radio first became a social force, and radio served as a means to encourage that division. Although some opportunities for getting anti-prejudice messaged to the public were offered by the radio, it was largely a tool for the opposite. Radio presentations early on were heavily influenced by the live entertainment habits that were already in existence, and news and entertainment were both presented in a Vaudeville-era style; Vaudeville and Blackface Minstrelsy were of course infused heavily with racial and ethnic bias. "Through blackface performances, white audiences could fulfill their pleasure of 'understanding" of black people while the assurance of the blackface performer's true whiteness kept them (both the white audiences and the white performers portraying the black characters) at a safe distance away from too much reality." (Stark) Both White and Black performers would use blackface makeup to parody African Americans. When Vaudeville styles hit the radio, it was called "Vaudio" (Nachman 27-49), and no ethnicity was safe. "Many cameo characters" entire routine was confusing words, sputtering non sequiturs, or conversing in pidgin English -- a vast gallery of stage Germans, Italians, Irish, Swedes, Jews, and Blacks." (Nachman, 30) There was no distinction in the American mind between these Vaudio broadcasts and the informational news that was interspersed around them. .

             The characters Amos and Andy would introduce radio listeners to a cultural phenomenon of prejudice. Played by white men in radio blackface, these characters were believed to be Black by the radio listeners, and they were very superstitious and ignorant. Despite the hardships these characters encounter, their lives remain carefree.