African-American Stereotypes In Film
stereotype. It seems like more and more, Hispanic women are portrayed as the hoop earring and latex glove wearing cleaning cleaning servant. An example of this in film is Jennifer Lopez’s characters in the 2002 romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan. Even the big stars aren’t safe from such stereotypical roles. It’s estimated that the American-Mexican actress Lupe Ontiveros played the role as a maid almost 150 times! The second stereotype is the Latin Lover. For years Hispanic men have been portrayed as the suave, sexy, and smooth talking lover. Spanish actor Antonio Banderas is one of the faces of this stereotype appearing in Original Sin. Contra el Viento, and Of Love and Shadows, as the “Latin Lover.” The opposite of this stereotype is the Sexpot
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Although many African-Americans have won numerous film awards and have been offered an increased amount of three dimensional roles, it still seems many are cast adversely as stereotypes. One of these stereotypes is the magical negro, African-American men who possess special powers only for the purpose of helping white characters with their own problems. For example, in Bruce Almighty, Morgan Freeman plays god that possess divine powers only to assist the white Bruce Nolan played by Jim Carrey. Another guiding African-American stereotype is the “Black Bestfriend.” Catherine Pinkney once told the LA Times that “Historically, people of color have had to play nurturing, rational caretakers of the white lead characters. And studios are just not willing to reverse that role.” Similar to Hispanics, African-Americans also play the role as criminal thugs. The disappointing fact is that little films actually showcase the social reasons why black men tend to commit more criminal activities and end up incarcerated. Black women also continue to be portrayed as brash women who are sassy, rebellious to authority, and have major attitudes. This stereotype is sustained by reality TV shows that portray Black women who indeed act this way. Unfortunately, Black Women say “these depictions have real world consequences in their love lives and careers.” Many of these stereotypes indeed do have real world consequences for those they depict, economically and
Although many African-Americans have won numerous film awards and have been offered an increased amount of three dimensional roles, it still seems many are cast adversely as stereotypes. One of these stereotypes is the magical negro, African-American men who possess special powers only for the purpose of helping white characters with their own problems. For example, in Bruce Almighty, Morgan Freeman plays god that possess divine powers only to assist the white Bruce Nolan played by Jim Carrey. Another guiding African-American stereotype is the “Black Bestfriend.” Catherine Pinkney once told the LA Times that “Historically, people of color have had to play nurturing, rational caretakers of the white lead characters. And studios are just not willing to reverse that role.” Similar to Hispanics, African-Americans also play the role as criminal thugs. The disappointing fact is that little films actually showcase the social reasons why black men tend to commit more criminal activities and end up incarcerated. Black women also continue to be portrayed as brash women who are sassy, rebellious to authority, and have major attitudes. This stereotype is sustained by reality TV shows that portray Black women who indeed act this way. Unfortunately, Black Women say “these depictions have real world consequences in their love lives and careers.” Many of these stereotypes indeed do have real world consequences for those they depict, economically and