Has the media darkened our horizon?
“What does it feel like to be overly sexed due to your appearance?” My law school friend asked about my Racial Identity Art Gallery earlier this year. I replied, “Hum, well what exact physical features are we discussing?” She replied with something that I understood as “Skin, hair, and simply being a female in a patriarchal society.” I said, “Oh, well lets see, I usually smile/act nice and men think that means I am into fooling around (Then they realize I am not into fooling around). Women usually feel less threatened or soften once they realize I do not uphold any stereotypes that my image might project.” My friend laughed, but I laughed with angst.
The last thing I want to be is overly sexed or for people to feel something towards me before I even speak. However, my hair apparently gives off a vibe when I wear it in curls, my skin another and my voice something completely different.
Stereotypes have plagued the media and society for years of Scary Black (i.e. The Birth of a Nation) an/or Sexy Black (Halle, Beyonce, etc.).
Thank you, Mr. Media and Ms. Hollywood for starting a trend; but aside from Oprah, America does have some intelligent, college educated black women and men who are doctors, lawyers, etc. and equally as beautiful as Beyonce or Halle or Will Smith.
I know we now have Michelle Obama (THANK GOSH), but she too went through the ringer of smears and stereotypes. She is breaking the mold, but she ALONE is not enough!
I will discuss in future posts other misrepresentations within the media, as well (i.e. Asian, Indian, Blonde hair, etc.)
