The Evolution of Black Stereotypes

In the mainstream media, Black people aren't really people but characters. The main representation of us are characters that swoop in save the day or offer comic relief. The early stereotypes included Sambo, mammy, sapphire, and mandigo. All of these representations have limited intelligence, are one dimensional, and play to the ideas of the mainstream media.

Sambo- "Sambo" refers to Black men that were considered very happy, usually laughing, lazy, irresponsible or carefree. This depiction of black people was displayed in films in the 1900s.

Mammy- Characteristics of "Mammy" include dark skin, a heavyset frame and large bust, and overall matronly appearance, complete with an apron around her waist and a kerchief on her head. She is overweight and dressed in gaudy clothing, as well as genial, churchgoing, and spiritual to the point of delusion — "Lord have mercy" is a common phrase associated with this archetype.

Mandingo- This stereotypical concept was invented by white slave owners who promoted the notion that male African slaves were animalistic and bestial in nature asserting, for example, that "in the Negro all the passions, emotions, and ambitions, are almost wholly subservient to the sexual instinct and "this construction of the oversexed black male parlayed perfectly into notions of black bestiality and primitivism."Describing slaves in this way allowed them to justify the wealth, privilege and social benefits they gained through slavery as a moral action since they did not see the slaves as fully human.

Sapphire- Sapphire, named after a character in “Amos ‘n’ Andy”, always seems to have her hands on her hips while she is running her mouth – putting down her man, making everything into a fight, never taking anything lying down. She is an overbearing, hard and undesirable woman who drives men away. Think of Tichina Arnold’s character Pam in “Martin”. Michelle Obama comes dangerously close to being read this way.

The last one hasn't really gone away because she still haunts black women. The main excuse given as to why Black men don't want to deal with Black women is their attitudes although women of all races have attitudes. These stereotypes have evolved into several black main characters.

The sambo has evolved into the black gay male- this character is flamboyant and extravagant. His is often the center of attention and the comic relief. When things get too heavy, count on the black gay male to say something sassy to lighten the mood.
The mammy has evolved into The black best friend- the mammy used to be the voice of reason and offer much needed advice and care, this job now belongs to the black best friend.She's black, smart, female and usually "sassy." And her primary function in a movie is to act as the main (white) character's conscience, offering advice no one asked for at the exact moment it's needed.

The new one is the magical black negro- The magical negro is typically but not always "in some way outwardly or inwardly disabled, either by discrimination, disability or social constraint," often a janitor or prisoner. He has no past; he simply appears one day to help the white protagonist. He usually has some sort of magical power, "rather vaguely defined but not the sort of thing one typically encounters. He is patient and wise, often dispensing various words of wisdom, and is "closer to the earth.

Stereotypes won't go away, they'll just evolve. Blacks have been stereotyped for hundreds of years and that won't change. We just have to be 10x better than they think we are.