African American Stereotypes In Wolfe's The Colored Museum

In The Colored Museum, Wolfe suggests that people should claim and honor their cultural baggage. However, de does it while disclosing how difficult that may be for an African American through a series of characters. I believe Wolfe exhibits this with characters struggling with stereotypes, susceptibility, and acceptance. Characters such as Janine, LaWanda, and Aunt Ethel show the struggle of African Americans dealing with stereotypes and how those false identities influence whether they claim or trash their baggage. Scenes such as Soldier with a Secret, The Last Mama-on-the-Couch Play, and Symbiosis have the theme of susceptibility. These characters validate the threat of claiming your baggage. Finally, acceptance is evident in scenes such as The Gospel According to Miss Roj, Lala’s Opening, and Permutations in which characters embrace their culture. Stereotypes are harmful because they affect those who are struggling with their identity. I think Wolfe included typical African American stereotypes such as the basketball player described by Miss Pat, the African American woman with “attitude” and “a healthy head of kinks” described by Janine, and Aunt Ethel who portrays the “down-home black woman.” In The Hairpiece, the woman is being persuaded to either be the sociality

As I read Aunt Ethel’s recipe, “now ya add a heap of survival/ and humility, just a touch/ add some attitude/ oops! I put too much” I thought about how society has tried to manufacture the perfect African American that suits their needs. The perfect African American is one that doesn 't “play the drums” as described by Miss Pat. Aunt Ethel continues to say, “now that you got ‘em, cause child, that’s your problem” I think this means that if you step outside the perfect stereotype it is your problem to deal with. For example, society apprizes black musicians and athletes but shames the thug who is deteriorated by