Are We Seeing Things?

Fuller, Lorraine

doi:10.1177/002193470103200107

“…10 Following the abolition of slavery, servile stereotypes continued to be used to justify restricting Black people to low-paying, domestic service roles (Collins, 1990). Caricatures of servile Black people continued to be reinforced well into the 20 th century, through representation in both marketing (e.g., Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben) and film (e.g., Gone with the Wind; Bailin, 2014;Fuller, 2001;Lemons, 1977;Reynolds-Dobbs et al, 2008;Thomas, 2020;West, 2008;Woodard & Mastin, 2005). As such, "happy-go-lucky" was among the most frequently reported U.S. stereotypes of Black people in the 1930s (Katz & Braley, 1933).…”

Section: Servile Stereotypesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this stereotype became increasingly hard to maintain during the U.S. Civil Rights movement, which likely explains why it had virtually disappeared by the 1990s (Devine & Elliot, 1995). Even so, many of these servile characters continued to appear in films and advertising into the 21st century, offering the public a nostalgic notion of how things used to be (Fuller, 2001;McElya, 2007;Thomas, 2020;West, 2008;Woodard & Mastin, 2005).…”

Section: Servile Stereotypesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Construction of Racial Stereotypes and How They Serve as Racial Propaganda

Melson-Silimon¹,

Spivey²,

Skinner-Dorkenoo³

2023

Preprint

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In social psychology, stereotypes have generally been viewed as overgeneralized beliefs about social groups in society. Although stereotypes—especially those that are negative—tend to be recognized as contributing to prejudice and discrimination of marginalized communities, they are often conceptualized as containing a “kernel of truth.” Meanwhile, there has been relatively little consideration of the historical and cultural origins of racial stereotypes. This is an important oversight given that stereotypes have and continue to be used as a means to excuse and reinforce the systemic oppression of communities of color. Thus, the current paper uses a historical framework to review major stereotypes that have targeted communities of color throughout U.S. history, with a focus on stereotypes of Black people. In doing so, we conceptualize racial stereotypes as propaganda that have historically functioned to support oppressive societal systems in the U.S. by both (a) shaping public perceptions and expectations and (b) by influencing the thoughts and behavior of members of stereotyped groups. By situating stereotypes within their historical and cultural frames, readers can recognize the way stereotypes reinforce systems of oppression. We conclude with research implications and encourage stereotyping scholars to foreground the social construction of stereotypes and the function that they serve by contextualizing their work in the social and historical context in which stereotypes emerged.

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“…Even so, servile Black characters continued to appear in media into the 21st century, offering the public a nostalgic notion of how things used to be (Fuller, 2001;McElya, 2007;Thomas, 2020;Woodard & Mastin, 2005).…”

Section: The Antebellum Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The U.S. Civil Rights movement—in which Black Americans demanded legal enforcement of equal rights—posed a direct challenge to the servile stereotype, which likely explains why it had virtually disappeared by the 1990s (Devine & Elliot, 1995). Even so, servile Black characters continued to appear in media into the 21st century, offering the public a nostalgic notion of how things used to be (Fuller, 2001; McElya, 2007; Thomas, 2020; West, 2008; Woodard & Mastin, 2005). Exposure to these servile characters, and internalization of these stereotypes, can have negative repercussions for Black Americans' self‐concept and self‐esteem (Speight, 2007; Thomas et al., 2004).…”

Section: The Antebellum Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

The construction of racial stereotypes and how they serve as racial propaganda

Melson-Silimon

¹

,

Spivey

²

,

Skinner-Dorkenoo

³

2023

Social & Personality Psych

2

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In social psychology, stereotypes have generally been viewed as overgeneralized beliefs about social groups in society. Although stereotypes—especially those that are negative—tend to be recognized as contributing to prejudice and discrimination of marginalized communities, they are often conceptualized as containing a “kernel of truth.” Meanwhile, there has been relatively little consideration of the historical and cultural origins of racial stereotypes. This is an important oversight given that stereotypes have and continue to be used as a means to excuse and reinforce the systemic oppression of communities of color. Thus, the current paper uses a historical framework to review major stereotypes that have targeted communities of color throughout U.S. history, with a focus on stereotypes of Black people. In doing so, we conceptualize racial stereotypes as propaganda that have historically functioned to support oppressive societal systems in the U.S. by both (a) shaping public perceptions and expectations and (b) by influencing the thoughts and behavior of members of stereotyped groups. By situating stereotypes within their historical and cultural frames, readers can recognize the way stereotypes reinforce systems of oppression. We conclude with research implications and encourage stereotyping scholars to foreground the social construction of stereotypes and the function that they serve by contextualizing their work in the social and historical context in which stereotypes emerged.

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“…Mammies are desexualized servants who act as caregivers to white children (West, 2008) and are often portrayed as heavy-set and masculine (Chen, Williams, Hendrickson, & Chen, 2012). The historical version of Aunt Jemima on syrup bottles-heavy set and wearing a bandana representing the times of slavery-is one such representation of a mammy (Fuller, 2001). Jezebels are sexually available and promiscuous, and Sapphires are angry and combative (Collins, 2000;West, 2008).…”

Section: The Media Representation Of Black Femalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The representation of women and girls of color in United States crime news

Slakoff

¹

2019

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There is a large body of literature examining the media portrayals of white females as both victims and offenders in crime news, but very little is known about how minority females—including Black, Latina, Middle Eastern, Native American, and Asian women and girls—are portrayed in these roles. In this literature review, I discuss general stereotypes surrounding women of color and their depictions within crime news stories as both victims and offenders. An examination of crime news media portrayals of minority females reveals that outdated and harmful stereotypes provide media personnel frames with which to write their stories. The negative portrayals of minority women and girls—as both victims and offenders—serve to reinforce racist beliefs and affect how consumers view political issues.

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Are We Seeing Things?

Abstract: The research on African Americans and television advertising is abundant with empirical evidence that attests that Blacks have come a long way as far as inclusion is concerned. Numerous studies cite the increase in Black presence

Cited by 32 publications

References 5 publications

The Construction of Racial Stereotypes and How They Serve as Racial Propaganda

The Construction of Racial Stereotypes and How They Serve as Racial Propaganda

The construction of racial stereotypes and how they serve as racial propaganda

The representation of women and girls of color in United States crime news

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