Going Nowhere: an exploration of identity

Abstract

Media portrayal plays a role in how individuals define themselves, and those around them. For black women, black femininity is often defined and portrayed through the lens of a white, patriarchal gaze. Most current media representations of black women derive from racist and sexist stereotypes or center around pain and struggling. Living in a world so oversaturated with media, negative and inaccurate representation can result in a negative societal perception. Without accurate representation, black women can also struggle to understand their own identity. To understand the effect of current media representation of black femininity and how it relates to identity, three things must be addressed: the history of stereotypes of black women in media, how media affects perception, and why accurate representation is important.