Black Women Stereotypes

The stereotypical misrepresentations of African-American women and men in popular culture have influenced societal views of Blacks for centuries. The typical stereotypes about Black women range from the smiling, asexual and often obese Mammy to the promiscuous Jezebel who lures men with her sexual charms. However, the loud, smart mouthed, neck-rolling Black welfare mother is the popular image on reality television. The typical stereotype about Black men is the violent, misogynistic thug, and the ever-enduring pimp. These images portrayed in media and popular culture createpowerful ideology about race and gender, which affects daily experiences of Black women in America. With few healthy relationships portrayed in the media, Black women are left to make decisions based on the options they have and the options they perceive. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Black women are the least likely to marry in the climate of the over-sexed woman and a pimp.

The protrayal of Black women as lascivious by nature is an enduring stereotype. The descriptive words associated with this stereotype are seductive, alluring, worldly beguiling, tempting and lewd. Historically, White women are portrayed as models of self-respect, self-control, and modesty, but Black women are often portrayed as naturally promiscuous, even predatory. This depiction of Black women is signified by the name Jezebel. Televised music videos, especially those of gangsta rap performers portray scantily clad Black women who thrust their hips to lyrics which often depict them as a

To understand more fully the media’s role in shaping the culture of African-American experience, one must first examine the stereotypes projected by popular culture, such as MTV, BET, and VH1. The songs and music videos created by such hip-hop artists as 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg have built a culture centered in misogyny and violence. The value of a man in music videos is determined by his ability to