Representation of African Americans in media facts for kids

The way African Americans are shown in movies, TV shows, news, and other media has been a big topic in the United States. Sometimes, these portrayals are not positive and can spread wrong ideas about Black people.

In the past, African Americans were often not shown enough on TV. For example, from 1955 to 1986, only 6% of TV characters were African American, while 89% were white. However, this has changed. A 2018 report found that even though Black people make up less than 13% of the U.S. population, they were 17% of actors in TV shows in 2015-2016.

Local news is a main source of information for many people. It helps shape how people think about civil rights and different communities. Some people believe that for African Americans to be shown fairly in media, more Black people need to own media companies.

Early Misrepresentation

For a long time, African Americans were shown in ways that were not fair or accurate. These portrayals often used harmful stereotypes.

Little Black Sambo was an old children's book from 1899. The main character was a South Indian boy. In the story, he gives his clothes to tigers to avoid being eaten. The book showed Sambo as a child who could not grow up and be independent. In the past, this was seen as harmless fun, but today, this kind of portrayal is not acceptable.

Another very hurtful stereotype was the "coon" caricature. This character was shown as lazy, easily scared, and not very smart. They acted childish even though they were adults.

Amos 'n' Andy was a popular radio and TV show from the 1920s to the 1950s. It was about two lower-class African-American men moving to Chicago. Many people, including Bishop W.J. Walls, criticized the show for its "crude" and "moronic" dialogue and how it showed Black characters. The Pittsburgh Courier, a major African-American newspaper, also spoke out against it.

Al Jolson was a white comedian who performed in "blackface". This meant he would paint his face black to act as an African American. While he brought some Black culture to the public, other Black performers found his acts offensive.

Studies have shown that negative images of Black men in media can even be linked to lower life expectancies. This means that how people are shown in media can have real impacts on their lives.

African-American Women in Media

The way African-American women are shown in media has changed over time. Historically, there were three main stereotypes:

• The Mammy was an older, motherly figure. She was often shown as asexual and caring for white families. This image was common during slavery and in movies from the mid-1900s. Aunt Jemima is a well-known example of this stereotype.
• The Sapphire was seen as an angry and bossy woman. This stereotype became popular in the 1940s and 1950s, partly from the Amos and Andy radio show.
• The Jezebel was often shown as a woman who fit European beauty standards.

Experts say these old stereotypes have continued and influenced newer ones. These new stereotypes include ideas about women being focused on money or their appearance in a negative way.

Hip-Hop and Music

Misrepresentation of African-American women also appeared in hip-hop and rap music videos. In 2004, students at Spelman College protested rapper Nelly's sexist lyrics and videos by canceling a bone-marrow drive he sponsored.

Despite challenges, more Black women are working in the music industry. They have used hip-hop to express themselves and redefine their identities. Famous female African-American rappers include Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Salt NPeppa, Lil’ Kim, Missy Eliot, Nicky Minaj, and Cardi B.

Beauty Standards

The beauty industry often focuses on white and European beauty standards. This has made it hard for African-American women to feel good about their natural hair and body types. In the past, enslaved African women might have been treated better if they had lighter skin or looked more like white women.

African-American women have often felt pressure to change their hair to fit European beauty ideas from a young age. However, beauty salons have also become important places for Black women to come together, feel strong, and learn about health.

Reality Television

Reality TV shows like Bad Girls Club, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Love & Hip Hop have been criticized. Many Black women on these shows are shown using the old stereotypes of the Sapphire, Mammy, or Jezebel. Some experts believe these shows help these old stereotypes continue in modern society.

Black LGBT Characters in Media

Since the 1990s, more LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) characters have appeared in movies and TV. While there are more LGBT characters of color now, most are still shown as white gay men.

Organizations like GLAAD study how LGBT people are shown in media. Their reports show that Black LGBT characters are a small percentage of all LGBT characters in films and TV shows. For example, in 2012, only 12.9% of LGBT characters in major films were Black.

Critics say that media often shows Black LGBT characters in simple, stereotypical ways. They are not always shown as complex people with rich lives. Sometimes, Black characters are placed in stories that don't show their African-American traditions or cultural differences.

For example, Black gay men are sometimes shown as overly feminine or very aggressive. Six Feet Under and True Blood have characters that some critics say fit these stereotypes. However, the film Moonlight was praised for showing a Black gay character who did not fit these typical ideas of masculinity.

Black lesbians are sometimes linked to aggression or extreme attractiveness. In The Wire, characters like Shakima Greggs and Felicia Pearson are shown as very masculine.

Transgender women are sometimes shown as if they are "passing" as women, making them seem fake. Transgender women of color are also often shown as victims of hate crimes. The character Sophia Burset from Orange is the New Black is a Black trans woman. Some argue she reinforces stereotypes by being shown as very feminine and by other characters questioning if she is a "real" woman.

Also, Black LGBT characters are often shown as being poor or violent. These portrayals can strengthen harmful stereotypes that all Black people are poor or violent in the United States.

Television Portrayals

TV shows and movies often reinforce negative stereotypes about African Americans. Research has found that Black characters on TV were often shown in service jobs, like house cleaners or postal workers. White characters, however, were more often shown as business owners or executives. This means Black characters were often given lower social and economic roles on TV.

Studies also found that African Americans on TV were often shown as inferior, stupid, funny in a bad way, immoral, or dishonest. Seeing these negative images can affect how people think about African Americans, even without realizing it. Research shows that if people don't have much real-life experience with Black people, TV images can strongly shape their opinions and create stereotypes.

Sports Representation

In sports media, like on ESPN, it's important how African-American men and women are shown. In the past, segregation played a role. For example, in baseball, there were separate "Negro" leagues for non-white players until the early 1950s.

Research shows that minority athletes have often been shown in stereotypical ways in media since the 1880s.

Why Misrepresentation Happens

Working in Media

Historically, not many minority groups have worked in media production in the U.S. While there have been some improvements, especially in TV, there are still big differences. In 1971, only 9% of full-time radio and TV employees were minorities. By 1997, this grew to 20%.

However, the numbers are still low in newsrooms. In 2007, only 13.65% of American newsroom staff were Black, Latino, Asian, or Native American. Even fewer minorities hold top management jobs in media.

Media Ownership

Who owns media companies helps decide what is shown to the public and how people are portrayed. There are very few African Americans who own media companies. A report found that African Americans own only 3.4% of all commercial radio stations.

Even in areas with many African-American residents, there aren't many Black-owned stations. It can be hard for Black owners to get the money needed to buy stations. This means that valuable viewpoints from these communities are often missing from the media.

Stereotypes and Their Impact

Media research suggests that mass media is a big source of information about African Americans. The images shown in media can influence how the public thinks about Black people. Often, these opinions are negative and highlight harmful stereotypes.

For example, TV has been criticized for showing too many African Americans as lawbreakers. One study of TV crime news found that it showed more crimes committed by African Americans than by any other racial group.

While some positive changes have happened, stereotypes can still affect people. Even positive stereotypes can sometimes lead to prejudice. African Americans are now taking on bigger roles in media, such as reporters, business owners, and artists. African-American women have become more visible in mainstream media as confident and strong individuals. Many groups now work to empower African-American women in media.