Miley Cyrus calls Nicki Minaj an Angry Black Woman
Michelle Obama Confronts Angry Black Woman Smear
It is very difficult for black woman to appear credible and professional when all around us we are bombarded with the angry black woman single-story. There are countless memes and internet jokes about sassy black women. However, even more detrimental is when this vicious stereotype is enforced from respected or popular Americans, such as Miley Cyrus or fellow political candidates. This gives the single-story an air of credibility even though it is not the complete picture. These artifacts go beyond just words by illustrating or showing the pictures of scowling black females. The meme (second picture) shows how prominent white culture is taking the stereotype even farther by mocking in real life as many of us may be guilty of imitating or seeing another imitate the meme. This single-story is important because it is not only insulting, but puts black woman at a societal disadvantage. As the BET article and Youtube clip implie, many people use this stereotype to discredit any black woman with emotions.
This story is extremely offensive and should be reversed immediately. This stereotype limits black woman in the very way they can speak and act. If a black woman acts too emotional she is quickly written off as "just another angry black woman." How can this social group stand up for what they believe in or become passionate about a problem if she gets demeaned the moment she raises her voice? If, heaven forbid, an woman does get angry, then people use it as an example to promote the stereotype. Unfortunately this means many negative consequences for this social group. This stereotype implies woman should remained completely poised in public at all times lest she be judged according to the mold. It also gives the media, from silly internet memes all the way to legitimate news sites, ways to quickly and easily discredit a black woman they do not agree with. It gives people a negative view of black woman as a general group. This single-story does nothing but harm to society.
I think it is very sad to see this single story presented so prominently across the media. It is awful that all I had to do was type "angry black woman" into Google and more results than I could even begin to look at popped up. The news article and Youtube clip used the stereotype to undermine the message both Nicki Minaj and Michelle Obama were trying to spread to the world. I'm afraid instances like these will greatly discourage young black woman from becoming passionate about issues because of the way they are written off so tastelessly in the media. The very pictures show black woman as sassy, unfriendly, and unapproachable. This begins to plant the idea in viewers' minds that black woman should be treated as entertainment or just avoided all together. I think media should talk honestly about the merits of a black woman's statement and leave race out of it altogether, because often race has nothing to do with the issue at hand. This "angry black woman" stereotype is deeply rooted in our society and unfortunately I am not sure it can ever be completely eradicated.
So true. Why are black women always portrayed as so sassy? I have some black women friends who are some of the sweetest people I know.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good single story to write on, mainly because it's a prevalent joke in our society. Just because something may be true in some instances, doesn't make it true for all.
ReplyDeleteI really like this post because it is so true. I know of black people who have to be more aware of how they act in public in case they are single storied into being the stereotypical "angry black woman." Do other races have to be that aware of their actions?
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