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Part 5: Racism, colorism, self hate, and stereotypes.
In the entertainment world today, people yearn for diversity and inclusion in films. Any type of stereotyping or unfair representation is ultimately met with backlash but that wasn't always the case.
The earliest form of black representation in Hollywood was blackface. Blacks were depicted as being stupid, lazy, worthless, unambitious, and pathetic. These depictions allowed for white America to display how they really felt about black people.
Films such as " The Nigger " "A Nigger In A Woodpile" "The Wooning and Wedding Of A Coon" "Sambo" and countless others were made to continue the wave of ignorance and hostility towards blacks. They wanted blacks to feel as inferior as they thought they were.
The 1915 film "Birth Of A Nation" put white men in blackface and faced them off against the Ku Klux Klan who were out to protect the "Aryan" cause. The movie also apparently was effective at sparking violence against blacks.
In the 1927 movie "The Jazz Singer" a white man rejects his Jewsih heritage to become a jazz singer in blackface.
In 1938 a film called "Everybody Sing" shows a young Judy Garland in blackface after being shipped off due to her disruptive jazz singing.
This type of anti-black propaganda even spilled out into children shows. A cartoon called "All This and Rabbit Stew" depicts a black boy, made in the image of one in blackface, trying to capture Bugs Bunny but is always outsmarted and made to look dumb.
"Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs" was a racist and stereotypical remake of "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs" . So White (this version's Snow White) was an over-sexualized black woman accompanied by the "sebben" dwarfs, and falls in love with Prince Chawmin with dice as teeth...
The shows "Jungle Jitters" and "The Isle of Pingo Pongo" show more depictions of black people as savages and unruly.
While we're on the topic of children, two of the biggest influencers on the childhood of several kids reportedly had racist tendencies. These men are Theodor Geisiel, aka Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney
Before Dr. Seuss became a famous author, he was behind quite a few racist ads, portraying black people as savages. It was said that his racist views changed as he got older but it still doesn't change the disappoint in knowing he had these beliefs to begin with.
Walt Disney reportedly referred to the dwarfs of Snow White as a "nigger pile" as well as using the word "pickaninny" which is another derogatory word aimed at blacks. Also, in the Disney film dumbo, the crows are stereotypical depictions of blacks. One was even named Jim Crow.
With all of the negative portrayals of blacks in the entertainment industry and in the world in general, black people in the industry tried to distance themselves from their black identity . They tried any way they could to not have the majority view them in the same light.
Eartha Kitt revealed that prominent black men in the industry, like Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, wanted nothing to do with black women. She received blacklash when she married a white man but she had no choice but to settle due to every black man she wanted refusing her.
She said that one time after sleeping with Harry Belafonte he told her, " I don't want you to take me seriously because no black woman can do anything for me....a black woman would hold a black man back." Basically telling her she would not be benefitcial to his life or career.
Another black actress named Ellen Holly said something similar about Harry, calling his few relationships with black women as "fraudulent"
Donyale Luna, known as the first black supermodel, was also known for trying to distance herself from her blackness. When she appeared on the cover of Vogue, she covered almost her entire face with her hand so her race could stay ambiguous.
She saw her blackness as a disadvantage so she created her own story about her life, saying that her mother was Mexican. She was known for wearing blonde wigs and extremely noticeable contact lenses.
When she was asked in an interview about whether her commercial success would bring about more jobs for black women, she responded by saying, " If it brings about more jobs for Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Negroes, goovy. It could be good, it could be bad. I couldn't care less."
Passing as white or non black, much like what Donyale did, was another way people distanced themselves from their blackness but not necessarily because they were ashamed of it but because it limited a lot of opportunities for them
actress Carol Channing supposedly learned about her blackness when she was 16 but hid it away so she could further herself in her career. She attributes her black heritage to why she was very talented.
Poet Jean Toomer was another person who passed as white for the sake of his career but also with the influence of some self hatred. He claimed he was mixed with several things so he wouldn't be called a "black writer" He didn't want his work associated with blacks specifically.
Writer Anatole Broyard was born to two light-skinned black parents and started to pass as white once he got older and moved out of a predominantly black neighborhood. No one knew about this until his daughter Bliss revealed it in a book about her father's race.
Ina Ray Hutton, known as the "Blonde Bombshell" was a hugely successful band leader of the Big Band era. While she was very succesful, many of her fans didn't know that she was raised on the South Side of Chicago to a black mother and she had no intentions on telling them.
While some people tried to pass as white, there were others who stood against it and openly embraced their blackness. Fredi Washington was one of those people. Fredi dedicated a lot of her career to advocating for blacks in entertainment
But since Fredi was black and proud, film studios sometimes tried to make her appear even more black by putting heavy dark makeup on her so she could play stereotypical roles. Despite that, Fredi often played roles of a biracial woman though she never claimed any white blood.
Lena Horne was another black actress that didn't shy away from who she was. Film studios were trying to push really hard for Lena to pass as white but she didn't want to do it, feeling that her blackness was more important to showcase.
Clark Gable was also against erasing his blackness. When he seen that there were "colored” and “white” bathrooms on the set of Gone With The Wind, he refused to continue working until all of the cast members were treated equally.
Another thing that has been damaging to the black experience in the entertainment industry is harsh stereotypes. Stereotypes is something that has been carried throughout all phases of the entertainment industry and is still a driving force in the industry today.
Uncle Tom / The Tom - The acceptable black man. Always faithful, submissive and obedient to the white master. Usually good, gentle and religious. They are eager to work hard to earn their white master's approval.
Modern examples are Uncle Ruckus and Stephen from Django Unchained
Modern examples are Uncle Ruckus and Stephen from Django Unchained
The Mammy - Typically big, black and fat, the mammy is the female equivalent of The Tom. She's completely non sexual and is often made to appear unattractive. Seen as independent, full of wisdom and takes no mess. Modern examples are Aibileen from The Help and Madea.
The Coon - considered to be a foolish black man or a buffoon with no sex appeal. Usually arrogant, somewhat well dressed and speaks in a way to appear as though they are dignified.
The Mullato / Tragic Mullato - this is a biracial woman who is depicted as being hyper sexual but her life takes a turn for the worst because her life is somehow ruined by her black heritage. Examples of this is Fredi Washington's role in The Imitation of Life and the film Belle.
The Buck - a large, scary black man who is so sexual he cannot contain himself. He's often depicted as being thirsty over white women.
The Jezebel - a black woman who is thought of as being naturally and inevitably sexually promiscuous as well as predatory. Examples are Pam Grier as Foxy Brown, Beyoncé as Foxxy Cleopatra, Gabrielle Union as Conny and Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove.
The Sassy Black Friend - they "keep it real" for their white friends and are presented as being strong and independent. They are the token sidekicks to the white leads and sometimes act as accessories. Dionne in Clueless and Brenda in the Scary Movie franchise are examples.
The Angry Black Woman - depicted as a woman who mad all the time for no reason. She's ill mannered and extremely aggressive. Her nasty attitude is sometimes justified in her not being able to find or keep a good man. Pam from Martin and Cookie from Empire are examples.
The Ghetto Black Woman - she is known for being loud and brash as well as sassy. People tend to be afraid of this character due to how obnoxious she is as well as her lack of etiquette. Joi from Friday and Halle Berry's role in BAPS are good examples of this portrayal.
The Thug - the black guys who are doing or selling drugs. Also might have some type of gang affiliation. He's extremely violent and doesn't have a problem with killing anyone he might have an issue with. Movies like Boyz N the Hood and Juice are good examples.
The Drug Addict - this person is seen strung out on drugs and that is usually the summary of their entire existence. Alfre Woodard in Holiday Heart , Chris Rock in New Jack City and Halle Berry in Jungle Fever are notable crackhead roles.
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