African American Men Stereotypes

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How are African American men portrayed in modern movies? How do these depictions influence the structure of our society and culture that we experience on the daily basis? These questions have been the focal point of my research. As I pursue to analyze the arguments of others on this topic, I dig a little deeper into the innerworkings that are effected, and come to realize the serious underling implications resulting from this conundrum. The first piece of literature I vetted was Mass Deception by Max Horkhiemer and Theodore Adorno on page 65 of out textbook Culture and Society by Matt Wrey. This article conveyed the power of media very well; helping to express just how much of a grip the media really has on the life of a citizen, likewise, …show more content…

The plot follows the life story of Caine (played by Tyrin Turner). Caine’s father, stereotypically, is a drunken murderous gangster and his mother a crack addict. Caine reflects on all his misadventures as a young, black, troubled teen including racist police officers, ex-con friends, and gang related activity. This movie plays on many stereotypes of African American men in a comical fashion. Contributing to the strengthening of these stereotypes. While the audience may not be consciously noting these stereotypes being embedded into their minds, it subconsciously and significantly alters the lens they view race and/or culture …show more content…

The term “magical negro” refers to the depiction of black men as the leader, teacher, or guider of whites. The journal retrieved from the Journal of Black Studies. Nov 2009, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p135-152. 18p. by Glenn, Cerise L. and Cunningham, Landra J. studied the films The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and The Matrix Revolutions (2003) —The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000), The Green Mile (1999), Bringing Down the House (2003), Nurse Betty (2000), and Bruce Almighty (2003) to draw from for their journal. In these movies, the source of guidance is an African American, making it seem more contemporary with today’s day and age; while dispelling the older stigmas. But there is controversy within this “magical negro” ideology. Some intellectuals view this new portrayal as yet another form of degradation; due to the African Americans still serving their white counterparts. Kendrick T Brown, a scholar at Macalester College, elaborated on “Black Demons” in his contribution to the Journal of Black Psychology, Vol 32(2), May, 2006. pp. 243-247... the term “black demons” refers to the depictions of African Americans through mass media. These negative stigmas produced by the media, as Brown would say, could be traced back to square one, and are to blame for the criminal associations connected to African American men. the creations of

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