An upside to the ‘angry black woman’ stereotype?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

By Ashleigh Shelby Rosette,

For centuries, the angry black female has been a pervasive stereotype in the United States. Sadly, this overly simplified opinion may be just as inescapable today as it was during the slave era. A new book by Tulane professor Melissa Harris-Perry, for instance, suggests that anger is still one of the most ubiquitous stereotypes faced by black women in modern society. Pepsi was criticized for further perpetuating this negative perception by depicting a black woman kicking, shoving and punishing her husband for cheating on his diet in a Super Bowl commercial. Even America’s first lady must address the stereotype: In a recent television interview on CBS, Michelle Obama denied the “angry black woman” depiction of herself that emerged in some coverage following the release of The Obamas , a book by Jodi Kantor.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-leadership/the-angry-black-woman-is-there-an-upside-to-the-stereotype/2012/02/15/gIQAuz5mHR_story.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. Nancy Reagan was an angry old white woman

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. how is this relevant?

[Angry Dragon]

6. Nobody got on the airwaves and talked about

how Nancy was an angry woman

Just stating the bias in reporters and the media

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. ahh ok. sorry, i didnt get the connection

[aaaaaa5a]

2. I thought the Pepsi skit really put black women in a bad light.

Not only did it show black women in poor taste, there were also scenes of domestic violence. But because it was a man being abused, it went without notice.


Watch this commercial. Just reverse the gender roles and tell me what you think.

I've had threads on topics regarding the image of black women before.


Black women have a long way to go in the public eye to catch up to the more positive, feminine perceptions of Asian and white women.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. what you call the positive feminine perceptions are actually very deleterious to women with careers

especially women who want to advance to higher levels of management

[Cherchez la Femme]

3. Many of these commercials

are already looked on as 'Step 'n Fetchit' embarrassments.

I'll never forget my jaw droppage when I saw the McD commercial "First Date" geared towards a black couple
--and the romantic venue of this date?
McDonalds, of course.

[stevenleser]

8. I had a hard time getting DUers to take this stereotype seriously when I raised it recently.

It is an extremely toxic one, as you point out.

[Irishonly]

9. These commercials are very toxic

I write to comanies showing the commercials but it seems they get worse all of the time. It angers me how all women are protrayed but it seems worse for our black sisters. I wish the country would have a wave of intelligence and empathy but that seems too much to ask.