More Stereotypes

We have discussed stereotypes before in this space. A question was put to me recently about just how much stereotypes affect our ideas, opinions and beliefs today.

Again, a stereotype is “an image or idea of a person or thing that is not necessarily based on truth.” Many stereotypes are caricatures which are pictures, description or imitations of a person in which certain characteristics are exaggerated to create a comical or grotesque effect. The cartoons of my childhood in the 1950’s and 1960’s often portrayed people of Afrikan origin as grotesque caricatures.

There have been many stereotypes of Afrikan men and women that have been used through the years. They have almost become archetypes or prototypes, which are original models after which other things are copied. Each had a purpose. We will discuss a few.

One stereotype of Afrikan women is the Mammy. The Mammy was usually an obese woman, who frequently wore a “headrag.” She was intentionally made to look very harmlessly fussy, asexual and unattractive. These women were made to look harmless and were frequently portrayed as being more loyal to the enslaver’s family than to her own family. Because she seemed so happy in her servile role, these stereotypes were attempts to legitimize their enslavement. The film “Gone with the Wind,” portrayed a “Mammy” and this stereotype persisted in the film “Imitation of Life,” and the early television show, “Beulah.” I’ll bet you can think of TV shows and films that perpetuate this stereotype in a more modern form.

Another stereotype of Afrikan women is the Jezebel. This stereotype was of a hypersexualized vixen who sexually tempted “innocent”white men. They were sexually free and always available. These stereotypes were created to legitimize the rape and sexual trafficking of Afrikan women and girls. This Jezebel stereotype was a way of blaming the rape victim for causing her own rape.

One other stereotype of Afrikan women was the Sapphire, who was sassy, domineering, aggressive and loud. She was the basis of the “angry black woman” stereotype that follows too many black women today.

During the period before the Civil War, Afrikan men were portrayed as lazy, harmless, shiftless foolish and childlike. This was the character, “Lightning” in the Amos ‘n Andy TV series and the actor called Steppin’ Fetchit. This was an attempt to prove that Afrikan men were incapable of being mature adults or functioning in the world.

After the Civil War, the Afrikan man was portrayed as a savage brute whose life revolved around the constant desire to rape white women. This was the excuse given for many of the lynchings that occurred in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s (even though we now know that many, if not most of these brutal savage acts were perpetrated in order to steal property).

The Mandingo stereotype was the same for Afrikan men as the Jezebel was for Afrikan women. The Mandingo was a virile, muscular, hypersexual mentally slow man. He was prized for his physical (and frequently sexual) prowess. The person who dashed this stereotype was the boxer Jack Johnson and unfortunately, in my opinion, many contemporary athletes fall into this category. When these athletes “buck the system,” they are severely punished. I recommend the book, “Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete,” by William C. Rhoden for this fascinating history.

Unfortunately, the images of AUSA men and women shown in film and on television outside of America, frequently depict us as being violent, drug addicted criminals who are poor husbands and deadbeat dads. This internationally broadcast image of AUSA frequently determines how we are seen abroad, even by our Afrikan sisters and brothers. Too often it determines how they feel about us.

There is a psychological phenomenon called the Illusory Truth Effect in which it is said if a lie is repeated often enough, it becomes the truth. This has been what has happened with the history of Afrikan people and AUSA. It also seems to be what is happening with the images of AUSA all over the world

We must realize these images are not harmless. We should also be mindful enough to conduct ourselves in such a manner as to not fall into the trap these stereotypes have set. We must fight for our humanity! Food for thought.