Essay on The Myths of the African American Woman - 2628 Words

Defying the Myths of the African American Woman - Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Song of Solomon, and Push Throughout slavery, myths were created about African American women. These myths of yesterday have tainted the image of the African American woman today. These myths include two major ideas, the first being that all African American women are perceived as more promiscuous than the average white woman. The second myth is that black women are virtually useless, containing only the capabilities of working in white homes and raising white children. These myths caused these women to be degraded in the eyes of others as well as themselves. Harriet Jacobs, Toni Morrison, and Sapphire are three African American†¦show more content†¦Meantime, her mother is no help; beating her at will, and satisfying her own bizarre sexual needs from her daughter. Schools have also all failed her; teachers find her ``uncooperative, and she considers her last a ``retarded hoe. Finally, Precious enrolls in a Harlem alternative school where she begins the tough climb out of illiteracy. No longer dreaming impossible ideas about rappers and movie star fame, she joins six others in a basic-skills class run by Blue Rain, a self-proclaimed lesbian who isnt afraid to editorialize in class. In short order, Precious discovers the joys of the alphabet and journal-writing, the pleasures of owning books and composing poetry. Although she raises herself to a seventh-grade level by narratives end, she also finds out shes HIV positive. Ms. Blue Rain, pushes Precious to change with encouragement and inspiration. Ms. Rain challenges Precious to learn to read and write and improve her way of life. She proves to be the bedrock teacher Precious has desperately needed. The name Blue Rain paints an image of a tranquil and pure person. Blue is a color which often symbolizes tranquility as Rain symbolizes freshness, thus purity. Ms. Rains soul is indeed as pure and tranquil as an afternoon rain shower. She is cleansing to Preciouss spirit when she encourages her to take on a new world; literacy. Preciouss pursuit of literacy and then college defies theShow MoreRelatedAn Inside Look at Melissa Harris-Perry Essay1597 Words   |  7 PagesMelissa Harris-Perry analyzes the myths surrounding black women and the implication that correlate with these myths. Perry focuses on three main stereotypes of black women that began with slavery and are still prevalent in society today. Perry not only examines the depth and causes of these stereotypes, but she also scrutinizes their role in African Americans lives as citizens today. Black women today are not only separated from society outside of the African American community, but there are also existingRead MoreMardi Gras Essay788 Words   |  4 Pagesand white individuals in the community, the forced segregation between the two Mardi Gras groups, and the restrictions put on people of African descent from being a part of the MCA parade unless they were a worker or dancer as revealed by the documentary â€Å"Order of Myths.† Today, the separate Mardi Gras groups between the African-American (MAMGA) and White-American (MCA) individuals is one of the most obvious issues of racism of Mardi Gras within Mobile, Alabama as it creates a divide between two racialRead MoreAfrican American Women : An Examination Of Female Slavery1204 Words   |  5 Pages African-American women have been neglected historical recognition during the primitive and the final stages of North American slavery. 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This system becomeRead MoreKingfisher Essay1281 Words   |  6 Pageswere frequently overshadowed and ultimately faded until all that remained was the collection of negative presumptions associated with the Sapphire and the myth of the â€Å"angry black woman.† The generally agreed upon stereotypes of the Sapphire are never positive. The Sapphire has been described as â€Å"the wise-cracking, balls-crushing, emasculating woman, [who] is usually shown with her hands on her hips and her head thrown back as she lets everyone know whos boss.† Similarly, Sapphire has been characterizedRead MoreIn The United States, Not Only Are Latin Women Being Misunderstood,1508 Words   |  7 Pagesmisunderstood, but African American women are also stereotyped by other people. Latin women are discriminated in their dressing and service occupations, while African American Americans are stereotyped in sexually promiscuous, caregiving role, and â€Å"welfare queens.† Both of them are victims of racial stereotypes, which affect them negatively on their identities and characteristics. However, the differentiation of their cultures makes them being stereotyped in distinct aspects. Some of African American women’s