Diminishing Black Culture
Rarely Really About Black Women
The stories of Black Women in the media are often told by people of other cultures and races. Storytelling from an outside perspective can create an unreliable portrayal of events. It's possible that Black History is being altered because of who is sharing it. Perhaps some of these storytellers have hidden motives. Griffin states that, "ensuring the superiority of whiteness in media are white characters cast as saviors in films ostensibly about racism," (2015, pp. 150). This statement suggests that film casting is a strategic way to promote "whiteness." A biased intention such as this one can be destructive to Black Culture. Below are some examples of this injustice.
In Griffin's academic article, she analyzes the perspective within the movie, "The Help." She wrote the following: "Rather, I take issue with Stockett’s and Taylor’s failure to advocate for the novel and film to be pedagogically understood for what they are: a White Man’s interpretation of a White Woman’s interpretation of Black Women’s lived experiences . . . In essence, they whitewashed the more fulsome narrative in favor of one that renders 1960s Jim Crow Mississippi more innocent, comfortable, and palatable for white people like themselves," (2015, pp. 155). In this quote, Griffin argues that a white male director and a white female author have an effect on the narrative in the film. She states that the perspective sympathizes with Whites during a time of oppression of Blacks. This movie is potentially diminishing to Black Culture because the creators of this film might have had an ulterior motive for the story.
Within the actual plot of the story, Griffin also critiques the emphasis on certain characters. She states, "the drastic changes in Skeeter’s life result in her character being more complex while the character development of Aibileen and Minny is flattened despite their appearance in multiple scenes. As a result, we know very little about their lives as black women beyond their connections to White Women. That they are rarely seen out of uniform strengthens the centralization of Skeeter who is often shown navigating personal, social, and professional elements of her life in a variety of different contexts, outfits, and hairstyles," (Griffin, 2015, pp. 151). In this criticism, Griffin indicates that the storyline of Skeeter, a White Woman, outshines the storylines of Aibileen and Minny, Black Women. Somehow, in a film about "The Help," "The Helped" is more essential to the plot. This concept is degrading of Black Culture because it sidelines the stories of Black characters to uplift White ones.
Within the actual plot of the story, Griffin also critiques the emphasis on certain characters. She states, "the drastic changes in Skeeter’s life result in her character being more complex while the character development of Aibileen and Minny is flattened despite their appearance in multiple scenes. As a result, we know very little about their lives as black women beyond their connections to White Women. That they are rarely seen out of uniform strengthens the centralization of Skeeter who is often shown navigating personal, social, and professional elements of her life in a variety of different contexts, outfits, and hairstyles," (Griffin, 2015, pp. 151). In this criticism, Griffin indicates that the storyline of Skeeter, a White Woman, outshines the storylines of Aibileen and Minny, Black Women. Somehow, in a film about "The Help," "The Helped" is more essential to the plot. This concept is degrading of Black Culture because it sidelines the stories of Black characters to uplift White ones.
Griffin has also written about the award winning movie "Precious." The concept of "White saviors" was demonstrated in this movie like in the one described above. She writes, "in addition to Whiteness being idealized as blissful and romantic reprieve, it is also positioned to protect and save Precious from the impoverished Black people who cause her pain," (Griffin, 2014 , pp. 187). This film critique presents that, in the past, the media has represented lighter skin tones as rescuers from the negatives forces of darker skin toned characters.
In the clip below on the left, Precious' teacher, who has a lighter complexion, is depicted as a loving force in Precious' difficult life. In the clip below on the right, Precious' mother, who has a darker complexion, is portrayed as an abuser in Precious' life.
In the clip below on the left, Precious' teacher, who has a lighter complexion, is depicted as a loving force in Precious' difficult life. In the clip below on the right, Precious' mother, who has a darker complexion, is portrayed as an abuser in Precious' life.
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(Movieclips, 2012b)
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(Movieclips, 2012a)
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More about the "White Savior" Complex
This film by Katherine Kingsle, highlights the plot of "white heros" within famous movies. This storyline is normalized in society. (2015)
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Continuing the ongoing discussion about white-storytelling, here is a clip about White-washing in the media. It suggests adding more diverse perspectives to rid of the bias. (The Big Picture RT, 2014)
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Destroying Self-Esteem
Current media representations of Black Women are considered to negatively impact self-esteem. Capodilupo, a Ph. D student from Columbia University, reports "The current study supports the idea that African American women’s body esteem and appearance satisfaction are negatively influenced by internalizing idealized media images when these images depict Black women with lighter skin and long, straight hair," (2015, pp. 274). After surveying a large group of Black Women, this analysis of the results proposes that the media is displaying images that are damaging to their self confidence. This information could be used to advocate for better representation because the media isn't being diverse enough to encourage different types of women.
In a study conducted by Kelch-Oliver & Karia, they found that "In addition to the absence of Black women in the media, some participants felt that the facial features and physical characteristics of Black people (such as the butt and lips) were appreciated on other races, but not on Black people," (2011, pp. 351). In other words, these findings suggest that Black Women don't feel respected or recognized for their attributes. This lack of appreciation can be destructive to the Black spirit and self-esteem because it indicates that Black features aren't beautiful on Black Women.
In a study conducted by Kelch-Oliver & Karia, they found that "In addition to the absence of Black women in the media, some participants felt that the facial features and physical characteristics of Black people (such as the butt and lips) were appreciated on other races, but not on Black people," (2011, pp. 351). In other words, these findings suggest that Black Women don't feel respected or recognized for their attributes. This lack of appreciation can be destructive to the Black spirit and self-esteem because it indicates that Black features aren't beautiful on Black Women.