Ethnic Notions

In the video Ethnic Notions the producer discusses how media and pop culture were and are still used to oppress the African American community. Through the use of cartoons, movies, music, literature, and theater the African American community was made to look weak and brutish. The producer's thesis is many of today's stereotypes of the African American culture are the result of early entertainment.

Throughout the video, examples were given to demonstrate how the white community would produce different forms of media that represented the African American culture in a poor manor. It wasn't until the late 1800's. A man who went by the stage name of Jim Crow was one of the first entertainers to portray the African American culture negatively for entertainment purposes. Jim Crow was a man who would dress in black face and perform a dance that he observed a mentally challenged African American performing. Regardless of the man's handicap and mental disorders, Jim Crow was a popular act that resulted in many other black face performers. Jim Crow paved the way other acts such as minstrels and performs like Zip Coon. The minstrels and Zip Coon were used as a tool to to justify slavery in a way, they made slaves look inferior and dependent on their masters. It was thought if the slaves were dependent they would not be able to survive on their own. As time progressed the view of African Americans changed. After the slaves were granted their freedom, African Americans were perceived as brutish and animal like. It was not uncommon to see cartoons where African American children would be ate by animals or chased by animals; thus demonstrating the supposed belief that African Americans resemble animals. The unique thing about this was older African Americans and women refered to as mammies were not stereotyped in this manner. The older African American did not to resemble animals and mammies were suppose to be the happy care giver of the master's house. The mammies were overweight and unattractive to make sure they wouldn't be a sexual threat to the home owner's wife/girlfriend, but once the mammy left the master's home see became ruthless with her own family. The mammies ruthlessness was suppose to so how the black man was weak and inferior. Even though these stereotypes occurred in early media, these stereotypes still occur today only they are subliminal. For example, the Aunt Jemima character has evolved to remble a different stereotype of the decades. It is a continuing trend that will hopefully end within our lifetime.

It is clear to see where societies stereotypes originated. They were the result of the media and those in power trying to oppress other ethnicity's. After watching this video I am able to pick out some stereotypes in media and advertising such as the Uncle Ben's box. It is disheartening to see these advertisements hundreds of years after abolishing slavery.

In conclusion the movie Ethnic Notions is successful in demonstrating to viewers how the African American culture received its stereotypes.