Black Stereotypes in Television

By: Kathryn Holme 

In the history of television black people have been demeaned, dehumanized and mocked through stereotypes that portray black people as inferior. Early television gave voice to white supremacist ideologies that normalized or justified the inequalities that black people faced. Early sitcoms of the 50’s and early 60’s created idealized fantasy of white nuclear family that was supposed to serve as model for the rest of the country in post war America. Television gave voice to stereotypes that had already been entrenched in American society and only recently has the representation of black people in television become more based in reality. 

Black female Stereotypes 

• Mammy 
• Traits: heavy, dark skin, asexual 
• Historical context: Enslaved black woman who is forced to care for white families to the detriment of their own. The Mammy symbolized the ideal black woman in her relationship to white man because her sexuality was not seen as threatening and she served master obediently. Originated in minstrelsy and film. 
• Examples: Florida from Maude (1974-79), Nell from Gimme a Break! (1981-1987), Mabel Thomas + Shirley Wilson from What’s happening!! (1976-79)

• Matriarch
• Traits: Overbearing, aggressive, hot tempered mother who emasculates and belittles black men around her. Does not see a need for romantic relationships and only uses men for reproductive capacities. The matriarch is too focused on work outside the home where she neglects her domestic duties. 
• Historical context: A sign of womanhood in American society is to be a domestic homemaker, a role most often fulfilled by white women who have the privilege of being able to not work outside the home. Black women not afforded this same privilege as both men and women had to work to survive. Black women who work outside of the home were seen as not feminine or possessing masculine qualities due to their stereotypically masculine roles of working outside the home. Narrative contributes to blame black women for the failures of American capitalism and racial oppression. 
• Examples: Sapphire in Amos n’ Andy (1951), Esther from Sanford and Son (1972)

• Welfare Queen 
• Traits: Single, economically disadvantaged “breeder” with poor work ethic. She has many children out of wedlock, lacks male partner, no job, and dependent on government. Instead of working she spends her time threatening sociopolitical stability of the unites states by receiving government assistance.
• Historical Context: Depiction rooted in slavery and belief that women are over-fertile. Popularized during Reagan administration and news media in the 80’s which has been pervasive in television ever since. 

• Jezebel
• Traits: Depiction of black women as hyper sexual, lustful, sexually aggressive, exotic, deviant, young, and beautiful by Eurocentric standards. She uses her sexuality as social capital and is willing to participate in any sexual activity. She only desires white men and therefore they are “victim” to her desires. 
• Historical context: This stereotype contributed to socially constructing the black woman as “the other” because her explicit sexuality contrasted with the virtues of white womanhood (sexual and moral purity). Black women are categorized as sexually aggressive which is a male trait that is “natural” in our society. In our society it is natural for men to be sexually aggressive not women so a woman who is sexually aggressive is not feminine. Along with this sentiment there is an implication that black women cannot be raped because they are always willing. 

Black male stereotypes 

• Black brute
• Traits: Dangerous, threat to white women, conniving, angry, out of control, impulsive, criminal, hypermasculine, powerful, animalistic, savage 
• Historical context: Stereotype was popularized during reconstruction period as a myth to keep black men and white women separate in the wake of abolition. The threat of black men and their “violent tendencies” attacking “innocent” white women were used to justify lynchings. Stereotype continues to be perpetuated in television newscasting through an over-resepresettaion of black men in news stories relating to crime resulting in Americans  further associating black men with crime. 

• Coon 
• Traits: adult black man who is less intelligent than a child, spends life avoiding work. Desires to be in positions of power like white people but fails to carry out his own childish plans. He is illiterate and inarticulate as well as superstitious and easily scared. Often depicted as young, tall, skinny, bald, and wearing gaudy clothes. 
• Historical context: Self indulgence makes him unreliable and useless to white people who have to abuse hum to get him to work. 
• Examples: Stepon Fetchit (Amos n’ Andy, Jack Benny Show, etc.)

• Sambo
• Traits: perpetual child, stupid, lazy, superstitious, older, dependent, loyal 
• Historical context: This stereotype stems from myth used as rationale for slavery emphasizing the idea that black people were happy during slavery and that slavery “wasn’t that bad.” Unlike the Coon who can never achieve his childish plans, the Sambo is harmless and requires white supervision to keep him from trouble. He serves white people happily and rejects freedom from white control as he “knows his place.” 

• The Tom
• Traits: Old, asexual, physically weak, poor eyesight, dark skin, often of christian faith and seen smiling. 
• Historical context: Stereotype used to justify black Americans working in positions that are submissive to white people. The Tom loves his master and the master’s family despite their abuse towards him he is happy to serve them. His love for his master makes him docile and accepting of abuse. 

References: 

David J. Leonard, and Stephanie Troutman Robbins. Race in American Television : Voices and Visions That Shaped a Nation [2 Volumes]. Greenwood, 2021. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2733067&site=ehost-live.