Discussing minstrelsy in class Tuesday really gave me a better understanding of where stereotypes in our country originate from. I always wondered how these stereotypes actually became widespread, and I believe it is in part due to the minstrel shows from long ago. Since these shows were so popular and were one of a very few forms of entertainment, the general public became accustomed to these stereotypes a long time ago. Portraying African Americans as inferior by dressing white men up in blackface (left) and making a general caricature of them proves that racial inequality was an extreme issue back then.
When we look at stereotypes of colored people today, quite a few come to mind. These stereotypes have been passed on throughout the history of entertainment and media in this country. The advertisement we saw in class of the picanniny with the watermelon, shows us that racial indecencies were again used for the benefit of whites. Aunt Jemima is another example of how black stereotypes were used to push products. She's portrayed as being a bigger woman, who takes care of a white family. This "mammy" stereotype was also seen with a character in Gone with the wind, and could even be seen in movies today such as Big Mommas House. It's evident that stereotypes of colored people in the united states can trace it's roots back to early American entertainment.
I completely agree about now having a better understanding of where stereotypes in our country come from. Before this class discussion, I had never seen any of these types of entertainment or knew it existed. When I learned that performances in black face were the most popular form of entertainment, I was kind of shocked. Who would even come up with the idea to paint their faces black, and try and portray another race. No one has the right to do that. I also agreed with Kritika when she said in class that basically blacks had no say and no stand at all when it came to how their people were being thought of. This definitely was for the benefits of whites and their entertainment.
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