Our history is too important to let it disappear.
During my travels as a circus performer, I was introduced to a man named Emanuel “Junior” Ruffin. My co-workers would shout, “Uncle Junior is here,” and everyone would run over to greet him. Sitting in his wheelchair with his deep brown worn skin and unruly wool-like hair, Uncle Junior’s huge smile would reveal spaces where teeth used to be, enhancing his comforting southern drawl. I remember wondering why everyone was so excited about this old man? Unfortunately, I did not find out about Junior’s life and contributions to the circus world until after his death in 2010. He died before completing his memoir.
It was Emanuel “Junior” Ruffin’s impressive career that inspired me to begin researching African-American circus artists. It was his legacy that moved me to put his name in the film’s title. “Uncle Junior”, (one of his many nicknames) was given to him by first generation members of The King Charles Unicycle Troupe. I believe that name is the most special of them all, because of his impact on the African-American circus community. In a lot of ways he is my uncle, and the uncle of all of us who defy cultural and social stereotypes by stepping into the circus ring. I am honored and privileged to tell Junior's story, and the story of other performers like him.
Veronica Blair
Founder, The Uncle Junior Project
Who was Emanuel “Junior” Ruffin?
Emanuel “Junior” Ruffin was the protégé of the world famous wild animal trainer, Clyde Beatty. Starting out as a circus “cage boy” at the age of 13, Junior worked under Beatty “breaking” and training lions and tigers for the Clyde Beatty Wild Animal Circus. By the age of 20, Junior had worked his way up to performing center ring under the name of “Prince Bogino,” a name given to him by Beatty. Beatty believed that white audiences would accept Junior if he were a foreigner, not African-American. Performing during segregation in the deep-south, Junior dealt with a lot of racism. He often recalled white audiences cheering for the tiger to “get that n****r.”
Despite this, Junior continued to break color barriers holding down the positions of star lion and tiger trainer, adult elephant act trainer, baby elephant act trainer, big top tent boss, lot superintendent, master welder, head truck mechanic and truck driver for the Hoxie Bros. Circus. In 1972, he was in charge of, at the time, the world’s largest big top circus tent as Tent Boss for Circus Vargas.
He headed the transportation department on the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus blue unit. Which resulted in Junior becoming the first, and only highest ranking African American department head in R.B.B.B.C. history. In January 2010 Junior broke another barrier by becoming the first African American to be inducted into the Ring of Fame, the highest honor a circus performer can achieve.
