It seems that from the moment I read through all of these (about a year ago), when I went on to observe black women in the films I watched, every single one was written as one or a combination of the stereotypes!

I cringe a bit when I see a fat black woman being all sassy in some movie. I don’t cringe because I don’t like fat black sassy women. I cringe because A. it seems this archetype is nearly *always* played out that way and with predictable writing, and B. we are relying on her to provide us with something for us. She is not her own agent; she is the Judge Lady or whatever, merely a caricature, not a person of her own.

I wonder why are we so “comforted” by the idea of the “fat Mammy” dispensing wisdom, or yelling at her man (or anyone)… or the tragic, sexually lascivious Jezebel / black hooker (like the example mentioned of Halle Berry in Monsters Ball). To quote Dr. Pilgrim, “The Jezebel images which defame African women may be viewed in two broad categories: pathetic others and exotic others.”

The main point, being, I guess “Others”.

I saw “She’s Gotta Have It” when it was in theatrical release — 1986 — and it made a huge impression on me in terms of female sexuality. I haven’t seen it since — maybe a glimpse or two on cable TV in the 90s, so that was before the tools I learned in Women’s Studies to examine such things. For those who have watched it again recently with a more critical eye — what are your thoughts?

At any rate, my class is having atouch time wrapping thier minds around the fact that these stereotypes are very common and very subtle. It’s hard to identify them, let alone scrutinize them. We go one movie at a time, and it seems to be helping. We’re looking at films like “Bringin’ Down the House” and “Deliver Us from Eva” to help the discussion along.

I loved the discussion. I’m glad it’s here, and it’s something that my mostly white class should know and hear. I have a syllabus if anyone wants to check it out.

@wellroundedtype2: This is peripheral, but just the fact that your women’s studies alma mater is now “Feminist Studies” instead of Gender Studies or Sexuality Studies is incredible. Particularly in light of attempts to shut down women’s studies department, that they can claim political ideology as their focus of study, is envious. And it kind of leaves no room for “women who happen to study women.” Women, oppression, and resistance studies shouldn’t be incidental.

@A Random Claire: a remake of Taxi?! At first, I thought it was the sitcom, but looked it up and it actually looks even better. Can’t wait to check it out.

@HollyGAzam: Oh my. Part of my problem is that BBC makes it so difficult to respond to their nonsense, which is scandalous for an institution that we must pay a license fee to support. In any case, Heather’s bio: http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/characters_cast/characters/character_heather_t.shtml

Note how she doesn’t have the complete bio of other characters and since the central conceit of Eastenders is family, she’s listed along with “Other Family” along with as-yet-to-be-discovered children, orphans, the eternal bachelors, the as-yet-assimilated ex-con black preacher man, and…a dog.

This week’s storyline which included her clambering on top of her friend’s head to get over George Michael’s garden wall, wearing fuzzy fairy antennae in a tiny pink backpack, and her best mate hiring a date for her for Valentine’s Day have tipped me over the edge. It’s war ladies! The campaign to get this actress some decent material is on like DONKEY KONG!

Really thought-provoking responses from Dr Springer, I had to stop several times along the way to think all my thoughts through to completion, and seriously well managed interview on the part of Ms Harding.

Fantastic!