Representations of Black Women in the Media: The Damnation of Black Womanhood (Routledge Transformations in Race and Media)

In 1920 W.e.b. Du Bois Cited The Damnation Of Women As Linked To The Devaluation Of Motherhood. This Dilemma, He Argues, Had A Crushing Blow On Black Women As They Were Forced Into Slavery. Black Womanhood, Portrayed As Hypersexual By Nature, Became An Enduring Stereotype Which Did Not Coincide With The Dignity Of Mother And Wife. This Portrayal Continues To Reinforce Negative Stereotypes Of Black Women In The Media Today. This Book Highlights How Black Women Have Been Negatively Portrayed In The Media, Focusing On The Export Nature Of Media And Its Ability To Convey Notions Of Blackness To The Public. It Argues That Media Such As Rap Music Videos, Television Dramas, Reality Television Shows, And Newscasts Create And Affect Expectations Of Black Women. Exploring The Role That Racism, Misogyny And Media Play In The Representation Of Black Womanhood, It Provides A Foundation For Challenging Contemporary Media's Portrayal Of Black Women. -- Publisher's Description From Sara Baartman To Michelle Obama -- From The Auction Block To Hip Hop -- The Reality Of Reality Tv -- Ain't I A Woman, Cause I Damn Sure Ain't A Man -- I Am Mom-in-chief -- Redefining Black Womanhood-an Africana Womanist Approach -- Conclusion. By Marquita Marie Gammage. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 List of Tables and Figures 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 9 1 From Sara Baartman to Michelle Obama 22 2 From the Auction Block to Hip Hop 39 3 The Reality of Reality TV 73 4 Ain’t I a Woman? Cause I Damn Sure Ain’t a Man! 97 5 I am Mom-in-Chief 114 6 Redefining Black Womanhood: An Africana Womanist Approach 135 Conclusion 147 Index 153