Stereotypes Of Black Women

The intelligence of black women in America is underestimated in the media: On the news, they are portrayed as angry, and not having or not worth having emotions. It is less often to find the media talking about the powerful role that these women play in the society, where their work is named after other people. They are never represented as mothers or supportive friends in their communities, but rather as things that might bring trouble to life. The movie “Hidden Figures,” as the name hints they are important people who are unheard of, is based on a true story of three African-American mathematicians Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) who overcame racism to play critical
Harris-Perry discusses in “Sister Citizen: Shame, stereotypes, and black women in America.” Harris-Perry talks about stereotypes the society attaches to black women which include the angry black woman and the person who is self-sacrificial but thrive to be a stronger self. “They believe that to be a good black woman is to be strong; therefore, strength is a foundation to who they are” (Harris-Perry, 186). Being a black woman in America teaches them to sacrifice themselves to protect their children, work past racism they face every day, and swallow the emotions towards the unfairness around them. Being strong links a black woman to the angry characteristic, where she believes it is the only way to shield themselves from the societal problems. “Black women may believe that their anger must always be in service of others and rarely used in their own defense.” (Harris-Perry, 187). Black women continuously show the angry black woman image as the way of protesting and fighting for their fairness. Though they were continuously abused, black women found refuge in their churches. “Womanist theologians frequently claim that African American women have a unique Christian faith marked by their race, gender, and class deprivileges” (Harris-Perry). As Harris-Perry explains that through churches “black women’s religiosity represents a unique understanding of the divine,” where they learn to forgive the white who discriminates them because of their skin color and remain connected to each other as one in Christ; close to their friends and families as well as feeling that they to play a big role in the society through church organizations, choirs and organizing church