Essay Structure

INTRODUCTION

• (SAAEMA) Black Hollywood is an area that has only been focused on in more recent years, simply because the emergence of the more positive black representations, success and existence in and around the movie industry has only more commonly come around in the last few decades. Since slavery, African Americans position in society had been of the underclass and their inferiority and prejudice was the norm. Hence their significance and their control was not valued, especially in dominated areas like the media. They were assigned racial stereotypes and were initially played by ‘white’ actors playing ‘black’ (The Birth Of The Nation) suggesting their lack of power. Therefore this didn’t challenge the society’s dominant ideology and simply reflected it. This can also applied to current society, now prejudice laws have taken place and segregation laws abolished, African Americans now have a more equal, successful position in society. Will Smith is an example of this transition, he currently one of the most paid men in the Industry.

CAUSE (SOCIAL

• (SAAEMA) The Mammy is a stereotype predominantly used in the early 1900’s, it was the first and for a long time the only female black stereotype in the media, representing the normally large sized, jolly houseworker. This position of an African American female in society was therefore reflected in the media as this was the dominant ideology of the public also; most families who could afford a‘Mammy’ had one. An example would be Hattie McDaniel who played this stereotype in ‘Gone with the wind’ as the first female black actress possibly in the media. Her underclass and inferior position in the movie was a direct link to the reality of the Society Hattie lived in. Although having a significant role in the film, she was forbidden to attend the premiere due to the overpowering segregation laws. Disheartening as it was, it was a classic example of the African Americans lack of power and suggests how they had little or no voice.

CONCLUSION

• This therefore explains how dominated ideologies adopted by the more superior public/society are supported by the media, and therefore the industry commonly ignores or disregards the just as important but possibly just not as significant matters.