When you’re watching television, or passing by an ad in the street, what do you see when you see a black woman? Is she happy? Is her neck twisting? Is she frumpy/overweight? Does she look like she’s at least 40 years old? What about her hair? Does it look like you can run a comb through it once without struggle? Why is it that the media promotes us more on a the negative side of the spectrum than the positive? When I watch a regular Colgate commercial, I see a white woman who can probably try out for America’s Next Top Model. But let them cast a black woman and she’s at least 20 pounds overweight, short, with a fro-like hairstyle. Don’t believe me? Take a look at these pictures I took within the past week of random commercials that aired on daytime television, which had a black woman in them:
Notice that these women either have a scowl on their face or an attitude. You’re either unaware of their body type or it’s evident that they are slightly overweight. They all have hair that you cannot come through, nor is it past the shoulders. Why are we perceived that way as if we’re just a bunch of grumpy frumpy nappy intolerable people to deal with? Why when we’re showing joy, it has to be expressed in an exaggerating way. So if we’re not parading around with a damn attitude, we’re being loud and obnoxious. Why can’t we be conditioned to see all different types of black women? Embracing different styles of clothing, hair and body types? When I see white women in commercials, they’re running through fields of purple flowers, hair flowing in the wind, falling into the arms of a happy man. When I see black women in commercials, they’re in the kitchen, with 2 mulatto kids, no father present, complaining about something. And if there is a father around, he has this look of discomfort on his face. Or probably has an attitude too. Most of all, where are the pretty ones? I am quite positive that there are a lot of nice looking black women trying out for commercials so why are the unattractive ones, stuck in this stereotypical Afrocentric look, being chosen? Where are these women for the commercials?:
As you can see, we come in all shapes, sizes, skin tone and beauty. Now, I’m not saying this is in EVERY commercial I see where a black woman is present. But I can safely say at least 80% of them this is occurring. I’m not sure the reason for it, or how to change it. But I am certain that they need to wake up and open their eyes because times have changed. We’re all not nappy anymore. We can afford to keep our hair looking right. We’re all not frumpy anymore. We just have big butts and breasts (naturally!). We’re more in the office, being the backbone of a business and less in the kitchen with the mami apron on. We all don’t twist our necks when we’re voicing our opinion nor are we walking around with a scowl on our face. We don’t have a chip on our shoulders nor are we always at war with our men. This reminds me of the early 70′s where the only reason a black woman was casted for a role in the movie she was either a maid or a hooker.
Sidetrack: Weaves. There’s this sort of taboo about weaves and that’s also being associated with black women as well. As if we’re so “fake” and are “frauds” just because we have a weave. Ummmm, white women wear weaves also, JUST as much as black women. The reason why we don’t notice or can’t tell is because of the obvious. White women hair grows longer faster and the hair weaves match their hair texture better. We’re so conditioned to seeing black women with short hair, no one can fathom the thought that if her hair is 18 inches long, it’s real. They immediately cancel her out and say it’s a weave. Also, just because we have a weave, does not mean we’re bald. My
real hair is past the back of my neck. The reason why most women (black & white) wears a weave is because they like to change hairstyles in a drastic way without actually damaging their real hair. Most of these hairstyles cannot be achieved with the hair we have.
If you’re of another race reading this, feel free to agree right along with me by letting me know how YOU feel about the way black women are projected in the media (if you even noticed it at all?). I try to look at it in a different perspective and analyzed how other races are portrayed in commercials and to be honest, I’m noticing other stereotypes as well. Except with the white actors/actresses. I’m sure if a white woman was watching BET and if most of the commercials portray white woman talking like a Valley Girl (ie: “LIKE, OH MY GAWD!”) she would feel the same way too. And if you disagree, I would love for you to tell me why also. I would like for this topic to be an open forum for any race to express the type of stereotypes you’ve experienced & endured as we walk through the means streets of society. Whether you’re black, white, hispanic, asian, indian and etc. I’m sure people are tired of white being associated with racism, black being associated with unattractive, hispanic being associated with labor work, asian being associated with Chinese food or nails, and indian being associated with a cab driver or terrorist.
By alexis b., September 13, 2008 at 7:49 pm
i wanna see a show with an interacial couple or a black & white couple with mulatto kids without the show being ABOUT that. i mean, srsly…by watching tv, you’d think interacial couples rarely even exist and here in maryland…they’re everywhere! eff that!
ok maybe i went off topic, but i’ll come back from my home computer to further discuss how black women are portrayed on television.
By azania floranz, September 13, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I agree with you on that our attitude is always be projected in a negative light. But I have to say I disagree with your argument about hair. I would rather see a black women’s hair in it’s natural state than with it flowing all down her back. For so long we have had to conform to a European philosophy of beauty, whether it be straight hair, being tall and thin or fair skin. Why can’t natural hair be seen as beautiful by our own people?? I find it ironic that I get more compliments from white people on my hair than black people, why is that ? It seems as if we hate our African features/ African ancestry. In my opinion, we were born with “nappy hair” that’s the way god made us, if he wanted us to have straight hair he would have given it to us. I’m just saying why are black women with natural hair are seen as unattractive, and that she must have straight hair in order to be perceived as beautiful??
By Tiffany, September 14, 2008 at 1:11 am
EXACTLY. And I am an actress, and when I go looking for work, even just background work they’re always asking for “thug girl” or something. I’m like why can’t it just be a cute black girl. and then when there are cute black girls like me and u. WE HAVE TO BE MIXED! my hair goes in the middle of my back, so they be like ARE U MIXED? U HAVE TO BE MIXED BCUZ UR PRETTY AND UR HAIR IS CURLY. I’m like, see that makes me mad. My heritage is caribbean, but I’m still african decent got dammit just like everyone else.
http://a862.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/m_37602e9a6d58d8b8b0c04c66f6ac6705.jpg < – my real hair.. that supposedly always get mistaken for a weave becuz im black.
and even on BET, like in the audience, they always get the most ghetto, loud, and non-attractive black ppl to be seen on tv.Even on baldwin hills they make stacey the “token ghetto girl”, wtf. they really did not have to do that.
ppl need to just wakeup and realize that its 2008! we are not slaves anymore, we do have beautiful black brown woman, and not just halle barry shes only excepted bcuz shes half and half.
holler. :pray:
By Miss April Joy, September 14, 2008 at 4:56 am
I dont mind seeing Black women with natural looking hair but why cant she ever be seen on television with permed or relaxed hair because not all Black women wear their hair natural. My own hair is not short or damaged at all but I love wearing weaves for the exact reason you said different styles, color, and texture without the damage to your hair.
By Shannon, September 14, 2008 at 6:52 am
I agree with April. I don’t see anything wrong with the natural look of a black woman, but it would be nice to display the different types of hair of other black women who don’t wear their hair natural. I have noticed a lot of stereotypical things with many races as well.
By tiff, September 14, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Hm, that’s interesting, I don’t really notice the pattern in which black women are portrayed in commercials, but now that you mentioned it, I”m going to keep my eye on it.
I think most of us are more observant when it comes to our own ethnicity.
Now that I’m in the acting business, I do notice a lot of poor, stereotypical roles that Asian women get.
I hate it. When I try out for a role in a commercial/movie/tv, it’s always for a supporting role, and never for a lead. They are usually looking for white people (No offense) in a lead role. Also, Asian women are always casted either as the hookers/sluts or the extreme opposite, nerds. We’re rarely normal, we’re rarely in the middle ground.
By Mimi, September 14, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I agree with most of the people who commented. I love seeing natural hair, hell any type of hair as long as it is not tacky. I can’t stand tacky weaves, but that’s a whole ‘nother issue. It would be good to see some diversity though :). I really don’t pay attention to commercials like that but tomorrow, I am going to take notice and comment here (If I can remember) about what I saw.
Also, some people do have this idea that white people do not wear weave. I’m tired of guys saying “Black women are so fake” but we’re not the only ones who rock weaves! I’ve seen plently of white people with weaves in their hair.
By Lav, September 14, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Aww.. both sets of images are pretty though. It just varies. Well, I don’t see many african-american people in commericals though…but then the proportion of american media that gets to my country varies. But then you don’t see aboriginal people at all so they are far more marginalised =(
By arlene, September 14, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I never really noticed any of that. however i have noticed that most actors and actresses on tv are black or white. its very rare to see other races. I’m half hispanic and half native american. Its very rare that I see other hispanics in comercials. We are just now starting to come out on tv with shows like geroge lopez and ugly betty. I dont think I’ve ever seen a native american in a comercial. If they are on tv they are usually shown in the uaual stero type manner. I dont think i’ve seen a modern day native on tv or in a movie peroid. Honestly I dont understand the media at all.
By Wes, September 15, 2008 at 12:22 am
I get your point about African American women always being portrayed as “angry”, “single mother”, or uneducated but what I don’t get is the “nappy” argument. I’m black and I have a perm and I don’t see a problem if a black woman wanted to keep her hair natural (not all black people have kinky hair, especially if they happen to be mixed). If black women don’t have perms why are we already deemed as ugly? I actually love seeing black women in commercials with their natural hair because they aren’t fitting into how everyone in society wants them to look like. In fact, I find them to be beautiful for embracing their natural beauty. I must say when I was young I wanted to perm my hair because I felt inferior to my white and hispanic friends/peers at school because I have short, thick, kinky hair. Now, I wished I didn’t perm my hair because I would love to braid my hair and not worry about it as opposed to getting a wash and set every 2 weeks. I don’t know about you but I find the black women I see on TV and paper ads to be pretty regardless of shade, body type, etc. The only problem I have is that I see more light skinned black women than dark skinned women. It’s messed up because they are messing with the self esteem of young dark skinned girls (I know because I felt that way myself) which then makes them feel that they must be light skinned to be considered as pretty.
By Asia, September 15, 2008 at 6:07 pm
It’s funny, I recently wrote a post centering around a similar topic, although it came from more of a personal perspective than a media oriented one.
“We’re all not nappy anymore. We can afford to keep our hair looking right.”
I don’t want to read too far between the lines, but what exactly to you constitutes “hair looking right?” From the pictures you posted to illustrate your point, it seems like you don’t take a Black woman’s hair as it is naturally as beautiful. Black women are generally born with kinky, curly, poofy hair. What’s wrong with that? I think it’s refreshing to see us portrayed as we are (to some extent) in commercials. I believe it’s a mistake to think that we need to put some heat/chemicals/weaves in our hair in order to be beautiful/presentable. This post actually surprised me. But as always, we’re allowed our differences.
By chanel, September 15, 2008 at 6:35 pm
The reason why black women hair was kinky or knotted years ago during the slavery days was because they simply did not allow them to comb it and/or could not afford to go to beauticians due to the lack of experienced black beauticians that knows how to do our hair. That’s what I meant about that comment.
This post wasn’t solely on black hair. I used the pictures of hair as an example because that’s the only thing I can catch as a still shot for proof to strengthen my point. This post was how the media tries to represent us and they mostly use what THEY find as a “negative”.
I don’t find it as a negative.
By Asia, September 15, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Thanks for the clarification! That’s an interesting theory about why our hair is this way, though I don’t buy it. Where did you get that information? If you have any history books I could look into, I’m very interested.
By chanel, September 15, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Do you really need a HISTORY BOOK to know that slaves weren’t allowed to go get their hair done by a professional beautician? If anything, slaves were the ones hired to be the ones to cut/wash hair, shine shoes, perform manicures & etc. Now, since you want to look into some books, how about you show me where slaves were able to go get their hair done, their nails manicured and etc. Because I’m not wasting my time researching something that’s common sense, and completely off topic.
I also think you’re taking my blog personally, being that you’re “afro-centric” yourself. That’s not my fault your feelings were brought out due to my opinion on how the media portray us. Don’t allow your feelings mask the facts. Fact is, black women, BLACK PEOPLE as a matter of fact, are not displayed in a positive venue by the media. And for the last time, that was the main point of my blog. Stop trying to make it something that it’s not.
You’re welcome. :blogee:
By Asia, September 15, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I guess I wasn’t clear on the source of my cynicism. Obviously history has forced us to neglect ourselves, but I can’t see that span of time truly affecting what is ultimately a factor of genetics, which takes far longer to change. I understood and agreed with the central point of your post, but rather than paraphrasing it for the sake of agreement as some have done here, I commented on a fragment of it that I found the most intriguing in hopes of further discussion. I see this isn’t and hasn’t ever really been the place for that, so excuse me for misinterpreting the purpose of this blog. I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out though! Carry on.
By Theresa, September 16, 2008 at 2:20 pm
In all honesty I get tired of how many woman are portrayed period. I don’t watch daytime television too much so no I haven’t noticed those things. But all in all I feel as though women are portrayed as those who are expected to consistently keep up with themselves and if they don’t walk outside with their hair, nails and make-up on then they are “looked down” upon. I don’t wear make-up, I don’t do my hair on a regular basis and I don’t keep my nails manicured so when I see someone else who doesn’t do those thing (regardless of race) I don’t really notice. I do notice women who DO keep up on those things and sometimes I wish I did too, I just don’t have the time or the drive for it.
By Trecia, September 16, 2008 at 6:08 pm
As someone who wears their hair natural- having cut of the perm, I don’t try to pay too much attention to the media. I know why I do what I do and at the end of the day as long as I know the truth thats the most important thing.
Ohh your hair style is cute!!!