Da Tap Dance Man, as he's listed in the credits, is Hiram's attempt at latching onto Henry Emory's deepest fears in order to drive him mad. He is a manifestation of Henry's anger and rage when it comes to how he's treated by the white men at work, how he feels at fault for Lucky's rape, and the guilt he feels for not being able to protect his family from the racist vitriol and hate from his white neighbors.
As the only Black engineer at his workplace, Da Tap Dance Man manifests and puts on a show for Henry reminiscent of the Blackface minstrel image it embodies. Da Tap Dance Man preys on Henry's insecurities by making him feel that the white people around him only see him as a stereotype.
Although portrayed by Jeremiah Birkett, a Black actor, throughout the series, Da Tap Dance Man character is later revealed to have been in Blackface all along. It's not until Henry realizes he's the one that gives Da Tap Dance Man power that he's able to defeat him. Da Tap Dance Man wants Henry to be everything his white neighbors fear — angry, violent, and self-loathing — but in the end, Henry isn't any of those things. He's a loving father and devoted husband that wants to protect his family, so he shoots Da Tap Dance Man in the head, ending him once and for all.
