The Stereotypical Myth about Women of Color

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African American women have been characterized as angry because of their outer characteristics, attitude, and choice of words; however, they have tried to escape this stereotype but mass media reinforces it. The stereotypical myth about women of color being portrayed as angry have been around since slavery. This myth has caused a plethora of negative reactions from the black community. Black women have had enough of trying to prove to society that they are more than what they make them out to be; however, society continue to push black women to the bottom. Based on a psychological lens, the movie Waiting to Exhale debunk this stereotype through reinforcement by the actresses’ mental reactions to different life situations. According to my sources, many individual have written or mention the stereotype through mass media, perspective of others, and popular figure stand point. Allowing the use of different resources will contribute to what extent is the angry black woman stereotype true. Mass Media Mass media are well known for having an influence on different stereotypes. In order to understand the angry black woman myth, one must know how it was transferred in the media. Georgia State University graduate Nargis I. Fontaine in his essay From Mammy to Madea, and Examination of The Behavior of Tyler Perry’s Madea Character in Relation to The Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire Stereotypes he mentions how was the stereotype was reacted before mass media. He states “Before film and television were developed, minstrel and sideshows were the source of African American based entertainment. Minstrel shows were performed by White individuals dressed to impersonate Blacks and behaved in a White interpretation of African- American behavior” (FONTAI... ... middle of paper ... ...lack Women’s Responses to Interracial Relationships." Gender & Society (2005): 544-561. Print. 9 March 2014. Collins, Patricia Hill. THE MEANING OF MOTHERHOOD IN BLACK MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP. Boston: Beacon Press books, 1991. Print. FONTAINE, NARGIS IHSAN. "From Mammy to Madea, and Examination of the Behaviors of Tyler Perry's Madea Character in Relation to the Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire Stereotypes." African American Studies Commons (2011): 1-76. Print. Johnson, Lakesia D. Iconic: Decoding Images of the Revolutionary Black. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2012. Print. Mcdonals, Olivia. Guerilla Feminism. 17 Febuary 2014. print. 25 March 2014. . Parks, Sheri. Fierce Angels: The Strong Black Woman in American Life and Culture. New Years: One World/Ballantine Books, 2010. Print.

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