ETHIC NOTIONS- racial stereotypes.
"Ethnic Notions" is Marlon Riggs" Emmy-winning documentary movie which pushes viewers to follow the traces of American history, showing the racial stereotypes and myths that have been influencing whites" perception of African-Americans. The documentary is based on several visual images of blacks that shape feelings about race. This movie interweaves mistral shows, advertisements and other types of entertainment to show hideously caricatured blacks with curly hair, big lips and bulging eyes, attending to whites with a great servitude. .
In the antebellum period African-Americans were presented as submissive and happy creatures. Jim Crow, Sambo, Zip Coon, Pickanninny, Mammy- they all become American definition of a Black. The Jim Crow and the Sambo were both presented as childish, innocent laughing creatures, unaware of the surrounding world who were happy to serve whites. The purpose of these images was to convince the whole population that the Negroes were unable to develop themselves in the outside world. The singing, laughing and dancing Sambo was to tell the world that plantation was the proper place for him. He is presented as weak and irresponsible creature which leads one to the conclusion that either he is a well trained, domesticated animal or a child. Happy Sambo proves that the slavery is good for slaves.
Another black character presented is Mammy. She is a complete opposite of a white woman. Strong, fat, very black, head covered, asexual, she functions as antithesis of a white woman who is supposed to be gentle, beautiful and subordinate. Mammy is presented as a controller while in the society this role is supposed to be taken over by males. Mammy has no attributes of fertility and sexuality so as not to be able to compete with a white woman for a position in the household relations. These images were created for the propaganda purpose.
