Historically masculine black sexually has been associated with aggression and dominance as well as being synonymous with having a large sexual organ. Currently in the mainstream hip-hop genre this focal point is prevalent and continuously perpetuated in the everyday lyrics of its artists.
As author Ronald L. Jackson II explores in Scripting the Black Masculine Body: Identity, Discourse, and Racial Politics in Popular Media the embracing of what he calls "the hypertext of sexuality(Jackson p.104)" drives the music and media streams of black culture. Although glamorized, the idea of all black men being well-endowed has many negative undertones such as being lustful predators and intellectually inferior.
Table of Contents
- Black Male Actors Dressing as Women is a Hollywood Norm
- Black Men Dressing as Women in Film Characterizing a Personified Black Woman Stereotype
- Madea: The 21st Century Mammy?
- Black Male Sexuality in Media
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the portrayal of Black men dressing as women in Hollywood, analyzing its historical context and its relationship to broader representations of Black masculinity and sexuality in media. The paper explores how this phenomenon perpetuates and challenges stereotypes, examining the commercial success of such portrayals and their implications for the Black community.
- The historical representation of Black male sexuality in media.
- The evolution of the "Mammy" stereotype in film and television.
- The role of Black actors in perpetuating and subverting stereotypes.
- The commercial success of films featuring Black men in drag.
- The debate surrounding the positive and negative implications of these portrayals.
Chapter Summaries
Black Male Actors Dressing as Women is a Hollywood Norm: This chapter introduces the topic by discussing the historical association of Black male sexuality with aggression and dominance, often depicted through the trope of a large sexual organ. It explores how this is perpetuated in hip-hop and other media, drawing on Ronald L. Jackson II's work on the "hypertext of sexuality" in Black culture. The author argues that the glamorization of this stereotype has negative undertones, portraying Black men as lustful predators and intellectually inferior. The chapter introduces the central thesis: the portrayal of Black men dressed as women as a form of demasculinization that counters the dominant image of the hypersexualized Black male, representing a different type of minstrel show.
Black Men Dressing as Women in Film Characterizing a Personified Black Woman Stereotype: This section delves into the history of Black men portraying women in film and television, highlighting variations like the loud, impoverished neighborhood girl, the Aunt Jemima character, and the Mammy. The chapter analyzes the asexuality often attributed to the Mammy stereotype, referencing Stephens and Phillips' work on the historical depiction of the Mammy as an overweight, dark-skinned woman with strong African features. The chapter connects this to contemporary portrayals, such as Florence in "The Jeffersons," and discusses the transformation of the "Black buck" into the Mammy character type as a complex cultural phenomenon.
Madea: The 21st Century Mammy?: This chapter focuses on Tyler Perry's Madea character, analyzing its controversial status within the Black community. Some find Madea humorous, while others see her as a negative representation. The chapter discusses Madea's characteristics—boisterous attitude, gun-carrying, past jail time, and rural background—as potential perpetuation of negative stereotypes. It contrasts this with the critical perspective of figures like Spike Lee, who views the character as "coonery," and examines the financial success of Madea films as evidence of a continued appetite for this type of representation. The chapter explores how Madea's depiction—aggressive, armed, and engaging in high-speed chases—might be seen as a masculinized, weaponized version of the Mammy stereotype.
Keywords
Black male sexuality, media representation, stereotype, Mammy, Madea, Tyler Perry, Black masculinity, demasculinization, minstrel show, hip-hop, film, television, Ronald L. Jackson II, Diane P. Stephens, Layli D. Phillips, Spike Lee.
Frequently Asked Questions: Black Male Actors Dressing as Women in Hollywood
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines the portrayal of Black men dressing as women in Hollywood, analyzing its historical context and its relationship to broader representations of Black masculinity and sexuality in media. It explores how this phenomenon perpetuates and challenges stereotypes, examining the commercial success of such portrayals and their implications for the Black community.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the historical representation of Black male sexuality in media; the evolution of the "Mammy" stereotype; the role of Black actors in perpetuating and subverting stereotypes; the commercial success of films featuring Black men in drag; and the debate surrounding the positive and negative implications of these portrayals.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper is structured into chapters covering: the historical association of Black male sexuality with aggression and dominance, often depicted through the trope of a large sexual organ, and how this is perpetuated in hip-hop and other media; the history of Black men portraying women in film and television, highlighting variations like the loud, impoverished neighborhood girl, the Aunt Jemima character, and the Mammy; and a focused analysis of Tyler Perry's Madea character, exploring its controversial status and whether it perpetuates negative stereotypes, contrasting views from different perspectives including that of Spike Lee.
What is the significance of the "Mammy" stereotype?
The paper analyzes the "Mammy" stereotype, its historical depiction as an overweight, dark-skinned woman with strong African features and its asexuality, and how it connects to contemporary portrayals. It further explores how the "Black buck" archetype might transform into the Mammy character type.
How does the paper address Madea?
The paper focuses on Tyler Perry's Madea character, analyzing its controversial status within the Black community. It discusses Madea's characteristics—boisterous attitude, gun-carrying, past jail time, and rural background—as potential perpetuation of negative stereotypes. It contrasts this with the critical perspective of figures like Spike Lee and examines the financial success of Madea films.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper argues that the portrayal of Black men dressed as women is a form of demasculinization that counters the dominant image of the hypersexualized Black male, representing a different type of minstrel show. It explores the complex ways in which these portrayals both reinforce and challenge existing stereotypes about Black masculinity and sexuality.
What are the key words associated with the paper?
Key words include: Black male sexuality, media representation, stereotype, Mammy, Madea, Tyler Perry, Black masculinity, demasculinization, minstrel show, hip-hop, film, television, Ronald L. Jackson II, Diane P. Stephens, Layli D. Phillips, Spike Lee.
What is the overall purpose of this research?
The research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the portrayal of Black men dressing as women in Hollywood, offering a nuanced understanding of its historical context, cultural implications, and ongoing relevance in contemporary media.
- Quote paper
- Artemis Minor (Author), 2015, African American Sexuality. Demasculization of the African Amercian Male in Film, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/310446
