There, lets just get this can of worms out and open. Billy Van was neither the first nor last actor to play in blackface, but if this poster disturbs you a little, then I'm on to something. The most recent use of blackface that I know of is by Robert Downey Jr.
Blackface is an old staging practice that took a crazy turn in the early 19th century. A white actor named Thomas D. Rice saw an old black slave with a limp. He decided to imitate his stunted movement to show it off to the crowds in New York. His routine started a craze, and his stage name "Jim Crow" now stands for years of racist laws.
What makes this so strange to me was that this was taken by his viewers to be true to life. The crowds in New York had hardly ever seen a black man, so they accepted this representation as real. So much so, that when black actors had a chance to be on stage (years later) they had to adopt blackface in order to act. Yes, that's right, black actors would put on makeup and pretend to have a limp because that was considered "authentic." Otherwise, they were "pretending to be white," and that never worked out.
What this meant was that actors needed to "Act Black." It was not about the color of the skin anymore. Black people on stage had to be Jim Crow.
The one role ava
ilable to the black actor opened up into several, as melodramas took off. Eventually, what we ended up with were a group of stereotypes. Birth of a Nation, -the first blockbuster film ever- portrayed every one of these stereotypes.I really don't think that the damage done by this film was in its portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan. Sure, it said the Klan were the good guys, but it didn't take very long for people to disbeleive that lie. The trouble was that it portrayed black people as fitting into a few very racist archetypes- the blackface stereotypes. Interest in the Klan died down, interest in the archetypes lived on.
The types lived on even when African American directors were able to make their own films. The Blaxploitian movement kept up the common stereotypes, as did African American sitcoms in the nineties. This is entertainment made by African Americans, for African Americans, so they stereotyped themselves! It is as though the African American population was so inundated with the types that they themselves began to buy into them.
Have a look at what these types are though:
The Coon
The Buck (called "Brute" here)
The Tom
The Mammy
The Tragic Mulatto (this one might have died out)
There are a number of modern examples of African American actors today adopting these stereotypes -except for Tom. Tom, instead, is often used to describe portrayals that fail to adopt one or more of these types (like The Cosby Show). At that point, the types seem inescapable.
So is there any escape left? Is it possible to get away from these stereotypes? Do you see them in films and TV now? Have we come very far?
32 comments:
I agree that there are serveral stereotypes for all actors. For example, Will Smith plays a similar character in all of his blockbuster hits. But is it a bad stereotype? I think there are some ways in which we are stuck in the 19th century way of thinking where race defnies who we are, but I also believe we have improved. There are plenty of movies and TV shows out there that break these stereotypes. However, many still exist and I think always will exist because our entertainment reflects our society and as long as there is racism and hatred in our society it will play a role in our entertainment.
to criticize robert downey, jr. means you missed the point. the film, tropic thunder, is a satire of modern-day hollywood. and downey jr's character is a spoof of an actor going over the top, not a white person playing a black person because of racism. If you watch the film, they do dicuss the offensive nature of "blackface."
though, i do agree african-americans should get more of a variety of roles.
Society has gotten to a point where each race is expected to be portrayed in a certain way.
Black people are supposed to behave as if they're black, whites are supposed to act white, etc. When we see people acting outside of these preconceived roles, we say that what we are seeing isn't true. If people aren't acting like they should, then it isn't a accurate representation of how things are.
I argue that even though there are difference in lifestyle, that this isn't bad. The truth is that that the lifestyles of some people are different (not to be confused with better/worse). We can't categorize every person into a category, but for the most part, people act in accordance to the culture and situations in which they were raised. As for American society, our culture tends to emphasize the differences in race, and therefore society expects portrayals of different races to be accurate and fitting.
Stereotypes are not inherently evil and they are not always false. Humans categorize everything they see and learn with what they've already learned about it.
Stereotyping can, however, lead to (and even perpetuate) false assumptions. For example, I've always held to the stereotype that the presidents of the United States are competent and smart. I've now seen that this stereotype is unfounded.
Racial stereotypes will always exist. If we do try to force ourselves away from them, we need to do so knowing that we might be telling a lie.
- Michael Williams
I didn't know the whole history behind the "Jim Crow" guy, but that' interesting. I think when it coems to stereotypes, Blacks have been hit the worst because of the slave days. In movies today, besides being portrayed as somewhat "horny," I don't think those old Blackface stereotypes like "mammies" or "brutes" apply today. Maybe they're still portrayed as poor or in gangs, but those are real issues. No Blacks actors have to fake a limp or "act black." They are who they are, and it's awesome.
Stereotypes are prevelant in the media. However, stereotypes exist because to some degree, not matter how little, there is truth. How many movies feature Jackie Chan or Jet Li as anything other than an Asian martial arts expert? How many movies can we count, portray white college guys as ignorant preppy frat boys who party their way through school? Stereotypes exist for all races. And though it is unfortunate that we are judge by such, as long as racism exists we have to prove ourselves to be more than the assumptions that come with the color of our skin.
I think we have, but we still have a long way to go. My mom didn't like us to watch things that stereotyped black people when i was younger, which meant I watched the Cosby Show - that was it. Obviously there were a lot more shows with black actors, but I never really saw them until I was older and I noticed the extreme differences between Martin and the Huxtables, etc. I think we have come pretty far in terms of notstereotyping black actors, but I think in the end, the black community has to decide if it wants more movies like "Friday" or "Hitch" to define them.
Steriotypes are still very common in the media that we digest on a daily basis.
It is very true that many actors are subject to playing the roles that they might fit steriotypically and that continues to perpetuate these roles. At the same time, the thing that makes this issue difficult is that if someone tries to break these roles they are critisized as well.
It seems as though there is no way to make everyone happy or to make media acurately portray reality.
Some interesting points made, but I'm not sure I agree on all of them.
I think there were a lot of stereotypes that were made early on and that African Americans had to mold themselves to that to get work in the entertainment biz. But I think later on with Shaft and those movies, that there was a feeling of coolness that "white" people were perhaps not able to recognize.
As far as the Tropic Thunder "black face" thing. I have to agree with what "bring the painster" said. In the movie they're not making fun of black people, they're making fun of hollywood what you have to do to get that hollywood respect.
I don't believe that we should by into stereotypes in film and print and that people of all races should have the ability to act in films. According to the last census http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_QTP5&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U) o
12.9 percent of the American population is African- American. This would indicate that around 12.9 percent of actors in movies and films should be African-American. One reason that there were so few African-Americans in film was that there are few in the population.
i think that the idea that different races act different ways is prevalent in all society but is more focused on in film and media, film makers need to use social ideas to get there different messages across and because the general society has distinct opinions on how different cultures should act these stereotypes are carried into film. There are a lot of movies that do not fit into these stereotypes, but the majority of popular films do, they are comfortable films and generally people don't like to step out of their comfort zone.
I think that someone made a really good comment in class. As long as we continue to distinguish people as black and white, and not just people, we'll never escape.
I thought it was interesting how a couple people pointed out how Robert Downey, Jr. in Tropic Thunder makes fun of the idea of Hollywood...I haven't seen the movie, so until I read this, I hadn't ever thought of this idea, and it seems like a pretty valid point. I do think some people still might find this idea offensive though. Someone else pointed out how lots of races are stereotyped in movies, tv, etc. I think this is really interesting to think about, and I agree with this. It seems to me that lots of movies and tv are really made up of stereotypes, and I think this can be a dangerous thing...lots of people use these as their main source of information.
It's true, "Tropic Thunder" is not meant to be offensive and it really isn't. It was risky - but it had a purpose. I think it's sad that like you said, some African American stereotypes are being continued by African American's themselves. It's like the only way for a TV show or movie to be a big hit is for it to be safe and contain all the common stereotypes of its main leads. Even in the last fifteen years though, there has been a lot better material given to African American actors. It all started in earnest with the rise of Denzel Washington and Will Smith - I remember when Halle Berry and Denzel both won Oscars for best actress/actor the same year. There is more diversity in Hollywood, but stereotypes persist. I believe they will always persist to some degree.
I did not know a lot of that information about the Jim Crow character. It's always frustrating to hear about the flagrant injustices and racism of that era. Art should imitate life; thus, there should be a continued increase in the appearance of minorities in the media.
Agreed that stereotypes live on. For all races. But would it happen if people didn't take the roles? I think people who want change need to make the change, and if Hollywood doesn't then it won't happen.
in my history of theater class we've been discussing "stock characters," those characters that were basically the same in attitude/language/behavior and showed up in a variety of plays. they were based on stereotypes and greatly exaggerated. i think the blackface character is a kind of "stock character" as well. we know what to expect when we see a blackfaced character in any kind of production, and their actions are greatly exaggerated and sterotyped.
also, when i was in high school, a rival school put on a production of "big river" and they did blackface but got in huge trouble for it. i hope it's phased out in all kinds of media soon.
I think that due to the history of slavery in America, race has become such a sensitive topic to mention, especially in mass media. If you look out there, stereotypes are just everywhere it could possible be. It's human nature to recognize differences and point them out to distinguish themselves and the people they are related to from the rest. So probably what Will Smith, Jackie Chan and Jet Li presented themselves on the screen might just be exactly how the character would be in such society.
We have come very far since the "Jim Crow" days. I immediately think of the 2004 movie "Crash". This movie brings out bigotry and racial stereotypes. It is a moving movie that can help one realize the racism that faces our diverse country.
haven't thought about this, but it makes some sense. you meet any black person out of the united states, from africa to brazil, and for the most part, if not affected by american culture, they will act like any regular person. so this does make sense that there is a stereotype that black people don't know there following. but what needs to be emphasized is the fact that they don't know.
I think, if you look at anything with this perspective you'll find a stereotype. Any character fits into a stereotype in some way- white people, black people, Asian, Mexicans. Something about them can be viewed as stereotypical in nature.
That's when I feel that we've taken racism/inequality too far. People will be typecast forever, that's just the nature of the business.
Also agreeing with a previous post, Robert Downey Jr.'s character should not be considered black face on the scale of Jim Crow, that's completely missing the point.
Many stereotypes in movies exist today. We are all aware of this. But I do not think that we go to a movie and realize it and become offended. The media has trained us to become adapted to such things. We have gotten better, but we still have a long way to go. Society has portrayed each race a certain way, and there is some truth to each of these roles. But when we negatively stereotype, we are criticizing our brothers and sisters. When we take this back to the gospel, we see things differently. It is important to not judge a certain race when we see them in person due to what has been portrayed in films. I do not think any of us do this, and I do not think we ever will.
This is very true of history in the portrayal of blacks, which is very very sad. Now in these days there isn't so much of this. One of the Tom's I have seen that is definitely not true is Jason Whitlock. He is a columnist for the Kansas City Star and is black. He has written columns about hip-hop and the destruction it has on the black race. Many people have come out against him calling him an Uncle Tom. I think he is correct, and should keep writing.
That, I believe is EXACTLY what the problem is.
If you go to the movies, you don't notice the stereotypes, and you don't get offended. You even learn something about what to expect from different races, and moreover, what to expect from yourself.
The biggest problem, I think, is when a minority group buys into their own stereotyping. Then, they decide to imitate the way they are portrayed, and that is problematic.
Ok, I'm not really criticizing Robert Downey Jr. I haven't seen the film yet, but I had thought his role would be satirical. But if the satire works, it must have some basis in reality, right?
I think the black stereotype given out in the media today is self inflicted. I sometimes watch black comedies and the humor and persona that is given off is almost always the same. I think the black communities needs to raise their own standards and make them selfs look better.
I think it is definately a difficult thing to get past. There have been so many characters through the years that are very stereotypical of different races as you pointed out. I definately don't think it helps either that actors like Robert Downey Jr. play wanna-be African Americans even as a joke. Probably the best way we can get past this stereotype is to have more television shows or movies which show various different members of a race which have various lifestyles that may or may not be aligned with stereotypes.
hmm... there's always both sides. For example... Has Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, or Martin Lawrance ever been in a movie that is not a black comedy? But there are people like Will Smith and up and rising star Aaron Yoo (the asian kid in Disturbia and 21) who have played both their ethnic stereotypes and regular characters that could have been white.
I also think that taking a stab at Robert Downey Jr. for his character as a white man going black or even the waynes brothers who played not only black men who went white, but black men who went white women, is missing the point. Those movies are to help us understand really how ridiculous racial barriers really are. When i saw previews for tropic thunder (the one with robert downey Jr.) i loved the idea, not just because its potentially hilarous, but because it illustrates so well the point that we're making. It pokes fun of the cultural differences and people trying to be something they're not.
I agree with you to a large extent, but I feel like the Robert Downey Jr. point is off. That is a satirical example of what you are talking about. If anything, Downey's character shows that people are starting to see through the stereotyping nonsense.
Some stereotypes are there because that's how things used to be, and let's fact it old habits die hard. However, I don't think movie roles are handed out purely based on a person's ethnicity. Of course for movies like Hero and The Patriot they are, but this is not the norm. Let's consider Samuel L. Jackson. I tend to believe that he will be in any movie no matter what it is--like Snakes on a Plane. But he has played so many different roles in so many different movies that there is no way you can say that he fits into a stereotype of strictly black character roles.
I honestly have no comment with regards to this. A lot is going through my mind. I've been reading this particular blog for a while and it's now 3.34pm, Tuesday, and honestly, no comment
I think we've come pretty far, but have a long way to go. This is aparent in the way race is being depicted on a number of media during this presidential election
I think we need to take a step back and look at the purpose of entertainment - a movie is there to entertain us and for us to enjoy- and if it is through stereotypes that this goal is reached then I think thats fine. We should be educated enough to recognize these stereotypes and enjoy the movie- then go out into the real world and meet real people with the same color skin who are VERY different to each other!
The Black in "Black Comedy" doesn't come from race.
Monty Python's The Life of Brian is black comedy.
Sweeney Todd is a black comedy.
Dr. Strangelove is a black comedy.
Barbershop is a comedy featuring African Americans.
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