Comparing Sara 'Saartjie' Baartman And Stereotypes

Sara ‘Saartjie’ Baartman was born in 1789 in South Africa’s Eastern Cape (Parkinson). Her mother died when Sara was two years-old, and she eventually grew up on a colonial farm where her family likely served as servants ("Sara ‘Saartjie’ Baartman"). When Baartman was an adolescent, her father and husband both died in a European-led ambush (Elkins). As a result of colonial expansion, the Dutch came into contact with Baartman’s community ("Sara ‘Saartjie’ Baartman"). She was then sold as a slave to businessman Pieter Willem Cezar. Despite being illiterate and coming from a society where tradition forbids people from writing, on October 29th, 1810, Baartman signed a contract with Englishman William Dunlop and Pieter’s brother Hendrik Cezar, in
The men have long believed that blacks are inferior to whites due to the color of their skin. The men have also long believed that females lack the intrinsic characteristics that make them as superior as males. These male scientists took advantage of Baartman by using her as “evidence” to prove their exaggerated beliefs that blacks are, in fact, inferior to whites, and that males are, in actuality, inferior to females. Baartman’s genetic condition was not simply a genetic condition in which Baartman has high levels of fat in her buttocks; rather, it was a sign that black females are creatures who thrive on high levels of sexual activity, similar to animals. Their preconceived belief that Baartman, as a black woman, is related to animals was further played out when they ordered her onstage to act in a similar to how circus animals behave. The men preyed upon the preconceived notions of others (that black females are overtly sexual and lack the intelligence of other groups) in order to make a
“Hottentot” women were known for their large buttocks and genitalia and were rumored to have an extra flap of skin over their vaginal areas, which was known as the “Hottentot apron” (Gale). By deducing Baartman to a nickname used to describe a mysterious aspect of her sexuality, it became easier for both the scientists and civilians in the public sphere to view Baartman simply as a vehicle for their own entertainment. Deindividuation may have also played a role in the immense amount of attention Baartman received. As Baartman would perform shows in front of crowds, each individual member of the crowd may have felt as if they were abdicated from being responsible for Baartman’s treatment. They may have believed that because they were simply one person in a large crowd and everyone else appeared to be enjoying the show, that there was nothing wrong with her treatment. Furthermore, as many individuals already believed Baartman to be inferior due to her race and gender, they likely thought that Baartman’s “work” was suitable for her own