African American Racial Stereotypes Essay

Racial stereotypes hid the oppression of African Americans. “The Sambo stereotype of African American slaves and by extension, of modern African Americans is that American blacks are by nature servile, fawning, cringing, docile, irresponsible, lazy, humble, dependent, prone to lying and stealing, grinningly happy and basically infantile” (Davis, 2007, p. 1). This description appoints to the justification of slavery by calling blacks incapable children that need a master in order to cope with society. By belittling the characters of African Americans it makes it seem like the slave masters are the victims who are just simply lending a hand to what seems like an unconscious animal. While it seems like everyone has adopted one of these traits, …show more content…
This racial stereotype became a staple during the years of slavery. The idea of morphing a disgruntled boy into a jovial servant made the plantation owners seem like the real heroes. Furthermore the mammy stereotype, not only understood but also valued the lifestyle of white America, by raising their children, given them advice, and loving them even more so than her own children that she carried and delivered after nine months (Green, 1999). Built with broad shoulders, respectable in nature, and capable of making her own decisions, she was bred to serve white people. Not doing what she was born to do will not only be a disservice of her natural ability but to the white families in dire need of hospitality as well, so they say. From this caricature of mammy, was a stereotype that alluded directly to the kitchen duties presented as aunt jemimah, who is now plastered on the numerous boxes of pancake mixes and syrup around the world. Originating from an infamous song called “old aunt jemima”, composed by an African American singer named Billy Kersands in 1875, was often song during minstrel shows performed by white men in black