In the film the common sterotypes of African American's were discussed and it was explained why they are extremely problematic to not only individuals but society. The idea was that characters not actual people molded the American perception for more than 100 years. These images included exaggerated mouths, the "simple, docile, laughing black man" that was only interested in food and song not work, along with the image of the female mammy. These images all played a role in constructing how white Americans views African Americans and how African Americans viewed themselves.
What was dangerous about these charactures is that white Americans that had no contact with black people really bought into the stereotypes portrayed. This included the image that there were "happy content" slaves. The Sambo was the happy male slave who sang and danced while the mammy loyaly served her master nad his family and put their needs above her own. She was not portrayed as a sexual being when in reality she often ended up as a mistress in the masters home. These images also led the public to believe that black men were powerless within their society. Men were supposed to be the dominate force in the home and workplace but the portrayl of African Americans left this role to women.
During the time of racial integration images of the angery or aggressive black man were portrayed. These images were used in order to enforce public fear of agressive behavior by black men towards white women. Because women in society were supposed to be everything pure violence was a justified tactic to use in their defense.
8 comments:
Common fallacies like the "black man's threat to white women" have been powerful tools in shaping the national consciousness. It's amazing to think that things as seemingly harmless as Looney Tunes also once played a part.
I thought your post was interesting. I hadn't thought about African American men being portrayed as being powerless, but after reading your post and thinking back to the film this makes a lot of sense. It always showed the women running the house and having the power. I liked what you wrote about white americans belief into these sterotypes. They really did believe it and to some extent I think their might be some people or still do believe them. It has a huge effect on society both past and present.
These caricature images and stereotypes of African Americans are just another example of how white Americans justifed their own behavior/violence toward blacks. What is incredible is that white Americans actually believed these images and sterotypes. It's pretty sad.
I agree that the images that "represented" African Americans played a role in constructing how white Americans views African Americans and how African Americans viewed themselves. In a way, whites brainwashed African American to believe that they should view themselves this way and that they weren't to think any differently. I think eventually, this was a turning point for African Americans and the violence.
yes i agree that theimages were harmful to society as a whole and the individual person.these very much played a huge part on who white people saw african americans. Certianly for teh white peopel that had never seen black person or the way they are in a plantion. The only thing that they had was the images that society had the african americans protryed as the mammy or uncle. i think that the images were mostly hramful for children both black adn white because that is what they were taught from the images of society has of african americans.
It's also interesting how the stereotypes changed to suit the changing needs of institutional racism before and after the civil war. Before the war, blacks were "happy slaves" and therefore slavery seemed acceptable. After the war, Black men were considered aggressive, brutish, and dangerous. This would justify making them second-class citizens.
I missed the film so thanks for giving me a good overview of the major points.. good post. I agree that the caricatures of the differnt times were dangerous int hat they give people the wrong ideas and entrench the wrong views as they are people friendly and seen so casually not thought to thought to be... but get subconciously dropped in peoples minds. I thought about the happy and lazy looking african americans faces and mammys but didnt think about the intergration time period and the "angry" faces that portrayed african american males. This is terrible and only could put a delay on acceptance and integration. People would grow up being scared and shunning the other race due to perceptions brought on by cartoons. glad that time period is over!
I agree with you and these images were definately harmful to African Americans. I really liked your last paragraph. I think this still goes on today. For instance your driving at night alone in your car if we see black men on the street we are more likely to lock our doors more times than when we see white men. I feel its all because of how they were portrayed before and these feelings stayed with us.
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