Gender Stereotypes In Films

Now transition from the Political Science discipline and into the Gender and Women’s Studies lens, the theme of racism could also be seen. According to an article, “Whether race accurately draws boundaries between genetically similar groups or not, the idea of race as a biological dividing line between people is commonly held” (Quintana 3). This divide between people can be seen in the movie industry quite often. All anyone has to do is look at the representation of racial groups in films. Majority of the time there are a few token black characters, and even fewer black leads. Primary Colors is an exception to this with having Henry Burton (Adrian Lester), being one of the main colors even as a black male. This divide between people can be seen even when looking a stereotypes of black vs white. White women and black women have different stereotyping categories instead of having one, and this can be seen in Primary Colors. Looking at the stereotypes of black women in films, March (Rebecca Walker), Henry’s ex-girlfriend, is a great character to examine. Modern movies present black women in three different stereotypes: the
White women in films are placed into three stereotypical roles: the sex kitten, looking for love, and the man (Chod, “Women”). The character of Libby falls under “the man” category. To begin, she is a lesbian woman, so she likes what, stereotypically, men are supposed to like. Also, she knows about politics, which is typically something that men are supposed to have better knowledge about. In general, Libby does things that only men are supposed to do. Finally, Libby even carries a gun and threatens to use it. She placed in next to a man’s private area and threatened to shoot him. This is typically violence that only men are suppose to display. Therefore, Libby is stereotypically “the man” in Primary