Thoughts on Ethnic Notions by Eloise Fairbrother

The most interesting part of Ethnic Notions for me was understanding that in order for black people to make it in American theater and film/television, they had to play into the stereotypes and be racist in order to cater to the white audience. Many black actors/performers even had to wear black face to appear “more black”, which is to say, more stereotypically black. This not only caused racism to widely spread in America, as the only media depictions of black people were horrifically racist and stereotypical, it also instilled self-hatred into black people. One example of this was “The Mammy”, a dark and docile black maid on television who appeared as somewhat of an “antithesis to the white lady”. White women were often depicted as beautiful, which meant that their job was to essentially sit still and look pretty for their husbands. On the other hand were black women, who were often presented as ugly but useful, forcing them to be used as servants. This also enforced the idea that black people were only useful to serve white people, which was in turn, enforced by the very existence of the television show. 

In my Migrants in the US Media class, we read an article by my professor, Dr. Katarzyna Marciniak, titled Palatable Foreignness. While all black people in America wouldn't be considered "foreigners", I feel as though ideas brought up in this article are able to relate to what I saw in Ethnic Notions. The distorted depiction of black people in the media helped white people tolerate black people in their society–it proved to white people that black people were there to serve them, whether that be through slavery or entertainment. In the article, Marciniak brings up the idea of a “useful exotic”, as well as ideas of foreigners as healers. Essentially, black people were only tolerated by white people when they found them useful. If black people weren’t able to heal them, they didn’t have a purpose for them. Overall, the depiction of black people in the media in the 20th century severely damaged many white peoples’ perceptions of black people, therefore creating a racist and bigoted environment in America.

Thoughts on Ethnic Notions by Mayara Sharma

 "Ethnic Notions" is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that delves into the deeply troubling history of racial stereotypes in the United States. Spanning from the era of slavery to the 20th century, the film presents an account of how these demeaning depictions were not only ingrained in popular culture but also perpetuated systemic racism.

One of the documentary's most compelling aspects is its exploration of the evolution of racial stereotypes. It highlights how these images were carefully constructed and manipulated to justify the oppression of African Americans. Whether it was the portrayal of the "happy slave" or the "dangerous black brute," these stereotypes served to dehumanize  an entire community, providing a false moral justification for discrimination.

Furthermore, these weren't confined to overtly racist materials but infiltrated everyday life through music, advertisements, and even children's cartoons. This made it challenging for society to recognize the harm caused by these images.

The documentary also portrays the power of media and culture in shaping perceptions and attitudes. It reminds us of the responsibility that creators and consumers of media have in challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting more inclusive narratives. This message remains relevant today, as we continue to grapple with the legacy of these stereotypes and their impact on contemporary issues of racism.

In conclusion, "Ethnic Notions" is an eye-opening exploration of the history of racial stereotypes in the United States. It forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths of our past and serves as a reminder that combating racism requires vigilance in challenging harmful narratives and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.