Kyla Gaines
Dr. Jordan
English103
October 13, 2009
The Stereotypes We Face
Stereotypes have plagued African American women for centuries. Whether it be the stereotype of a Mammy, the jovial often slow minded black women who is always there to serve the whites. The Jezebel stereotype, the sex driven, seductive African American women, or the Sapphire stereotype, which is the image of a cold hearted, snappy, outspoken, head shaking, eye rolling black women. People have developed these stereotypes of black women and they have stuck with them over time. Even in recent years the media has heightened these stereotypes and assumptions of black women and they have acted as stigmas on the African American female community. “Young Black females often struggle to invent themselves against the distorted images of ‘money hungry heartless bitch,’ ‘Jezebel,’ and good ole ‘Mammy’ among others, many of which were created during slavery” (Richardson, 676). But, people often forget that there is so much more to black women than the negative stereotype seen on TV, in the news, or in movies. Throughout history and even today African American women have proved to be intellectual trailblazers. But, it is difficult to get people to see the positive impacts African American women have on their communities as well as the world around them. Although some African American women are refuting the stereotypes that have been set in place their efforts are not enough to alter theses stereotypes so we must; understand these stereotypes, understand how we conform to them, and continue to change the worlds image of black women.
The first stereotype I plan to focus on is the mammy stereotype. This is the image of the Mammy, a fat jovial black women, who’s job is to please white’s, and who is not very bright (Abagond, 1). It is important to note that although this stereotype became more apparent in the 1960’s black women were pigeonholed years ago when black female slaves were forced to work in the kitchens, and homes of their slave masters.
“The first controlling image applied to African-American women is that of mammy- the faithful, obedient domestic servant. Created to justify the economic exploitation of house slaves and sustained to explain Black women’s long- standing restriction to domestic service, the mammy image represents the normative yardstick used to evaluate all Black women’s behavior” (Patricia Hill Collins, 71).
African American women conform to the mammy stereotype by not attempting to get better educations, and by working low wadge jobs. But often times it is not our fault that we are not able to get better jobs because of this stereotype. Today African American women are often over looked for job positions because of this ‘mammy’ stereotype. Some employers believe that black women are only good for cooking and cleaning. Even with college degrees African American women have difficulty being taken seriously in the corporate world. Some individuals find it difficult to let the mammy stereotype go because of their preconceived notions of black women. But rather then quitting African American women must work hard against these stereotypes. This affects African American communities because young African American females see how their parents and role models are getting oppressed in their community and they wonder why they should try when their loved ones experience negativity due to these stereotypes. But it is important that the young African American community sees these set backs but understands that they must change. Whether it be by excelling in academics, sports, music, or other skills they must continue to fight as their elders did to prove stereotypes wrong by striving to be the best they can and have the best image so that it is almost too difficult for people to continue to put these stereotypes on us.
Today African American women can avoid the Mammy stereotype by specifically striving for more through their education. We must prove to society that we as African American women can achieve more than just being housekeepers and cooks. We should to work to get our high school and college degrees. Often times we as African American women conform to society by giving into the stereotypes society has placed on us because we are too lazy to go against them. I have attempted to do my part in changing this stereotype by striving to the best I can in my education. My first step was graduating from high school and choosing Spelman College I did not want to be placed in the category of an uneducated African American or be seen as a stereotype. Spelman can prepare me to become a leader and role model for the African American community. But it is not just Spelman women who can become role models we as women of color can show society that we are reliable to work at successful companies, at hospitals, and other high end occupations. But often times we do not always receive the support we should in these various fields because people do not believe in black women the way they should. “African American students are predominately European- American campuses has shown that when African American females show up in majors such as engineering, they receive less support, are asked to change their majors, and are expected to fail by White male professors” (Arnold and Murphy, 696). African American women must pull away from these stereotypes and prove the “White male professors” wrong but we can not prove this white male professors wrong. But without first changing the Mammy stereotype we must alter the Jezebel stereotype which affects the appearance of African American women the most.
The Jezebel stereotype of black women has been around for years just as the Mammy stereotype has been. The term Jezebel can be related to the figure Jezebel in the bible who was an evil queen in Jerusalem during Biblical times (Abagond,1). Jezebel was seen as “a scheming, manipulative woman who did more than anyone to promote an evil religion” (The Living Word Library,1). Over time African American women were given this title of Jezebel. But, over the last few years this stereotype has heightened due to the media. Black women are portrayed as sex symbols in society. White society often sees black women’s only job as being “used for sexual exploitation, and they enjoyed it” (Richardson, 676). In the past black women were seen as seductresses who’s only goals were to get other women’s men by using their sexuality. Today black women are often seen as sex symbols because they are seen gyrating and exploiting themselves on television, and in movies. We conform to these stereotypes by being filmed in music videos barely wearing any clothing letting men degreat them in these videos. We as African American women also let these famous music artisits exploit us in their song lyrics while we continue to listen to the music, by buying their albums and songs on iTunes. Rather then just half of the African American female population taking a stand we all must take a stand. Women’s bodies are something sacred that we must cherish, honor, and respect, and if we do not do that no -one else will. The clothes we wear may send off the wrong message because our chests, and hips are a little curvier then other woman and sometimes we may also act, and dress certain ways in public to gain attention from men when really we are exploiting ourselves. Although it may be difficult to pull away from this stereotype we have to fight the Jezebel stereotypes by going against the images that have been pinned on us. That is not to say African American women have to dress more conservative then any other race of women or change their identity to conform to what society wants them to look like; but we do not have to have the images of video vixens, stripper, or hoochie” mammas. It is important for young women to understand when to dress for business or when to dress for pleasure. This does not only apply to African American women, but women in general have to protect their identities but it is even more of a struggle when women of color are constantly stuck with and reminded of these stereotypes. But the most difficult stereotype to alter is the Sapphire stereotype.
The stereotype that is often related to African women is the Sapphire. Even though society may not recognize the stereotype of a Sapphirical woman by name they may acknowledge the traits. Examples of these traits are, “rude, loud, malicious, stubborn, and overbearing. This is the ‘Angry Black Woman’ (ABW) popularized in the cinema and on television (Jim Crow Musuem at Ferris State University: Sapphire Caricature). It is difficult for black woman to avoid this stereotype because we tend to have over exaggerated emotions compared to other races. If black women show any sign of displeasure or anger we are automatically pegged as Sapphire’s. By putting this stereotype on black women it makes us come across as difficult to deal with in society (Abagond,1). The media has heightened this stereotype of black women especially on TV shows showing loud, opinionated black women but in a negative way on shows such as I Love New York, Real Housewives of Atlanta, and many others. And that is how we conform to the society by having random out bursts on national TV, talking about each other and our men in a disrespectful manner. This makes people assume that is how most black women act and that we do not care enough. The women on these shows fit the stereotype of a Sapphirical black women because, they put the image of an Angry Black Woman in the minds of society. When people watch these women on TV they instantly put it in their mind that is how all black women are. The one think that is difficult about the Sapphire stereotype is that it is something that may not ever go away. Women such as Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Alice Walker, and even current day heroines such as Michelle Obama are seen as Sapphires (Abagond, 1). Woman who are heroines in African American History are seen as Sapphire’s women but these are role models to young African American females around the world but yet pegged with this negative stereotype. Even though this stereotype may continue to be related to African American women we can continue to strive to be leaders in our community and around the world by being seen on the news and as executives of major companies, doctors, and other occupations by doing this we would prove our self worth and the more confident we come across as a race the more people may change their minds about these stereotypes.
Although altering these stereotypes may seem next to impossible to erase it is not and changing these stereotypes are a gradual thing. If all women of color make an effort to change these stereotypes overtime they will change. Some African American women may believe that it is not their responsibility to change these stereotypes that other woman are feeding into. But by one woman making a difference it can affect other women’s choice to make a difference. By taking all the steps necessary to break these stereotypes such understanding them, not conforming to them, and doing our best to prove them wrong we can change the face of African American women in the United States and around the world.
Bibliography:
1) Abagond. Stereotypes About Black Women. WordPress. 5 March 2008. Web. 10 October 2009.
2) Richardson, Elaine. “To Protect and Serve”: African American Female Literacies.” College Compostion and Communication. 53:4 (June 2002): 675-700. PDF file.
3) Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge, 1991.
4) Arnold, Karen, and P. Murphy. “Campus and Classroom: The Experiences of Minority Students in Predominantly White Universities.” Beyond the Dream: Meaningful Program Evaluation and Assessment to Achieve Equal Opportunity at Predominantly White Universities. Ed. Robert E. Stake, Stafford Hood, Henry T. Frierson. Greenwich: Jai Press, 1994. 17-46.
5) “Jezebel – Women of the Bible.” The Living Word Library,14 July 2009. Web. 10 October 2009.
6) “Sapphire Caricature.” Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia (Ferris State University) Date: Unknown. Web. 10 October 2009.
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