On April 5th, Black Entertainment Television aired its annual award show, “Black Girls Rock!” Like many women around the world, I tuned into this show as I do every year.
Beautiful women of color were seated in the audience, dancing, laughing and even tearing up. Among the women honored during the program were First Lady Michelle Obama, singer Erykah Badu and actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The words of the women who graced the stage resonated throughout the spirits of everyone in attendance whether they were there physically or seated in their living room.
Beverly Bond, CEO and Founder of “Black Girls Rock Inc.” started the program to, “change the world by empowering black girls to lead, innovate, and serve,” according to their website. Also located on the Black Girls Rock Inc. website is a statement that reads, “BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ is also a multifaceted movement dedicated to shifting the cultural paradigms of media/music messaging that often negatively impact women and girls.”
This statement became the catalyst in my quest for unearthing some of the beliefs associated with women of color, specifically black women. And in turn, this search revealed the absolute necessity for programs such as “Black Girls Rock!”
“Black Girls Rock!” has been criticized for only celebrating black women. But what exactly is the problem with this?
After years of public criticism and shame targeted at black women, what is the crime in publicly celebrating, praising and reveling in the greatness that is the black woman?
It does not take much effort to find stereotypes associated with black women – a simple Google search will suffice.
These stereotypes are deeply rooted in United States history. Laura Green expounds on these issues in her work “Stereotypes: Negative Racial Stereotypes and Their Effect on Attitudes Toward African- Americans.”
“Sapphire,” “Mammy” and “Jezebelle” are three of the stereotypical African-American women described in Green’s paper.
The Sapphire stereotype, Green states, is “a bossy, headstrong woman who was engaged in an ongoing verbal battle with her husband.” This stereotype, unfortunately, is often associated with black women off the big screen.
The Mammy is a well-known stereotype. She is a “large, independent woman with pitch-black skin and shining white teeth.” She gladly serves her master, but is often portrayed as domineering towards her husband and children. Anyone who has seen “Tom and Jerry” has seen her.
And lastly we have the Jezebelle. Plainly put, she is the “harlot.” Green states, “this image of the ‘bad Black girl’ represented the undeniable sexual side of African-American women.” Cicely Tyson, the “Living Legend” award winner of Black Girls Rock!, fervently refused to play the role of Jezebelle.
Tyson refused to further aid the spread of such stereotypes affecting black women.
While the Mammy may not be the star of your favorite day-time program, the underlying feelings and beliefs associated with these characters are still housed in the minds of many people around the globe. It is apparent these thoughts and attitudes have often limited the success of blacks in the entertainment industry, both male and female.
Of the 2,947 Oscars awarded since 1929, only 31 went to African Americans, and the list of awards given to African American women is substantially shorter.
Ava DuVernay, the groundbreaking director of the film “Selma” was awarded the “Shot Caller” award at Black Girls Rock! While the film “Selma” was nominated for an Oscar, DuVernay did not receive a single Academy Award nomination as a director. In fact, according to the Washington Post, no black actors or female directors were nominated.
“Black Girls Rock!” fosters an environment for African American women to show they are breaking the mold and forging new paths. The show not only celebrates superstars, it also honors young and old women who are taking great strides in their communities and around the world.
“Black Girls Rock!” is important because it gives black women joy, validation, and pride. They see intelligent, successful and unapologetically great black women on their screens.
These great black women, who have been in the very same position as many – a gem in a world that often does not see or value the importance of their existence – inspire us to reach beyond our present conditions to accomplish what often seems impossible.
After years of having Sapphire, Mammy and Jezebelle placed at the forefront of our cultural paradigm, it is high time the black woman be displayed in a light of love and reverence. And to shame the black woman for celebrating her very essence is not only wrong, but immoral.
Black women, on this campus, please do not doubt yourself and your value. Don’t dare dim your light for the comfort of those around you. It is crucial to remember that your presence on this campus and in our communities is crucial not only for the sake of this campus’ diversity, but because you are brilliant, inspiring and you leave behind a legacy for future African-American women on NC State’s campus.
