Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol. 2 No. 5

to recognize the specific stereotypical roles that get
acknowledged in Hollywood.
“We are more visible than ever now but we are very
underrepresented. Diversity has space everywhere and we
don’t see enough of it in the media. We all have different
stories to tell and at the moment we are not seeing enough
of it. I think we have a lot of representation on-screen,
but to get even more we need more Black women off the
screen in the offices or in the director’s chair is how we
can see a more positive light and really achieve what we
want and what audiences want,” said Sydney Ogbogu, a
senior majoring in creative media.
Black sitcoms are some of the most interesting things to
look back on because they represent a time when things
were simpler, like childhood. Common Black sitcoms
include Martin, The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, Family
Matters, A Different World, The Parkers, Moesha, The
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and One on One. However, in
the majority of these shows, there’s a misogynistic male
character or constant degrading jokes towards another
female character.
Within The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will’s character said
something misogynistic or sexual every episode when
speaking to another female character. A lot of scenes
between these male and female characters are a form of
sexual harassment that gets overlooked.
“I didn’t see enough good representation growing up. But
when I did see it, it made me so happy! I remember when
Princess and The Frog came out on Disney for the first
time, it was truly magical seeing someone that looked
like me, like a princess. The media is getting better with
this, but we’ve got a long way to go,” said Breona Winn, a
junior majoring in public relations.
Are Black women worthy of praise and appreciation
outside of stereotypical reminders of a painful past? The
answer is yes, but movies and shows aren’t the only issues.
The media also controls the way women are portrayed
through music.
Hip hop is a steady genre that has captivated the minds
of young people. With hip hop created on the back of
misogyny, it’s hard for women to get the respect they
deserve. From the start of rap music videos, women
have been the center of objectification and disrespect.
Throughout the early 2000s, the objectification of
women through music videos was at a high with video
vixens. These music videos showed a glamorous life to
young girls watching.
In 2003, rapper Nelly received backlash from his infamous
“Tip Drill” video because of the degrading actions towards
women in certain scenes of the video. The lyrics and video
implied women were only good for sexual endeavors.
Although this isn’t the only song in history to objectify
women, the majority of rap songs sexualize women or call
them degrading names.
However, it’s important to notice the things young girls
consume and how this can have a damaging effect on
them as they get older.
“The media does oversexualize women at times especially
in music videos and films. I believe that this comes from
how society has constructed itself. We live in a world
where women are constantly fighting against the male
ego. In the eyes of most men, women are seen for just
pleasure. The media portrays women to only look sexy and
cater to them, and then are constantly criticized for what
they wear and how they wear it,” said Keirra Thomas, a
junior majoring in Advertising.
A study conducted by the American Journal of Public
Health from 1996-1999 on Black teenage girls who were
exposed to rap music videos showed these girls were 2.5
times as likely to have been arrested; 2 times as likely to
have had multiple sexual partners; and 1.5 times as likely
to have acquired a new sexually transmitted disease, used
drugs, or used alcohol over the 12-month follow-up period.
Although the media doesn’t define every Black woman in
America, it is important to acknowledge the weak areas
that need improvement. Black women are often overlooked
and silenced. If you’re a man, use your privilege to listen
and uplift Black women’s voices for others to hear. As a
community, instead of highlighting negative moments
let’s uplift each other to move forward.
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