The Limited Leading Role for Black Women

Black women have been viewed to hold the same role in life in society. This is displayed through television and mass media. In Reel Black Women: Black Women and Literacy in Feature Films shares with the audience that the number one role for the black actresses is as the “mammy.” A mammy is displayed as a black women with a dark complexion who is the caretaker of normally a white family. It has been discussed in my other classes the way women have been portrayed in the same light throughout the decades but we have been psychologically adapted to being familiar and content with this role. The “mammy” role has also been shown in a bad light because it is displayed that caring for and helping others is a weakness. Another role that black women play commonly is the “jezebels” which is viewed as a more beautiful black woman with a lighter skin complexion. When producing films and sitcoms, writers take into consideration the literacy level of the characters. What was mentioned in the reading is how black women have taken on a large ratio of roles where the educational is minimal or not mentioned because the role of the woman in the film is as the housewife. Numerous successful movies that had a black woman with a leading role are mentioned to support this. In the movie, The Color Purple, the “mammy's” and “jezebel's” role is present in the literature and film. Whoopi played the uneducated “mammy” who was the housekeeper that learned how to read from her more beautiful and lighter skinned sister. I was most shocked to think that it is possible that the shows and movie that I enjoy are the same ones that oppress the black woman from being more that what is shown on films. I have never analyzed any of the films until now. I have realized that white actresses play the majority of the roles that involve a broader education and a job that is outside of the house. I would like to see more of a dramatic change in the way black women are viewed as. This is not only limited to the televesion screen but also art and through mass media products.  So many people have psychologically adapted to this role black women play in films, and it is time for the role to change.