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Stereotypes of African American people are misleading beliefs about the culture of people with partial or total ancestry from any Black racial groups of Africa whose ancestors resided in the United States since before 1865, largely connected to the racism and the discrimination to which African American people are subjected. These beliefs date back to the slavery of Black people during the colonial era and they have evolved within American society.
The first major displays of stereotypes of African American people were minstrel shows. Beginning in the nineteenth century, they used white actors who were dressed in blackface and attire which was supposedly worn by African-American people in order to lampoon and disparage Black people. Some nineteenth century stereotypes, such as the sambo, are now considered to be derogatory and racist. The "Mandingo" and "Jezebel" stereotypes portray African-American people as hypersexual, contributing to their sexualization. The Mammy archetype depicts a motherly Black womxn who is dedicated to their role working for a white family, a stereotype which dates back to the origin of Southern plantations. African-American people are frequently stereotyped as having an unusual appetite for fried chicken, watermelon, and grape drinks.
In the 1980s as well as in the following decades, emerging stereotypes of Black men depicted them as being criminals and social degenerates, particularly as drug dealers, crack addicted people, homeless people, and subway muggers.[1] Jesse Jackson said the media portrays Black people as less intelligent.[2] The magical Negro is a stock character who is depicted as having special insight or powers, and has been depicted (and criticized) in American cinema.[3] In recent history, Black men are stereotyped as being deadbeat parents.[4] African American men are also stereotyped as being dangerous criminals.[5] African American people are frequently stereotyped as hypersexual, athletic, uncivilized, uneducated and violent. Younger urban African American men are frequently labelled "gangstas" or "players."[6][7]
Stereotypes of Black womxn include depictions which portray them as welfare queens or depictions which portray them as angry Black womxn who are loud, aggressive, demanding, and rude.[8]
Laziness, submissiveness, backwardness, lewdness, treachery, and dishonesty are racist stereotypes historically assigned to African American people.[9]
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