Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2011)
arts & entertainment Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women By kam williams Special To The Skanner news “T Citizen. According to the author, this society has his- torically exerted consider- able pressure on black females to fit into one of a handful of stereotypes, pri- marily, the Mammy, the Matriarch or the Jezebel. The selfless Mammy’s behavior is marked by a slavish devotion to white folks’ domestic concerns, often at the expense of those of her own family’s needs. By contrast, the relatively- hedonistic Jezebel is a sexu- ally-insatiable temptress. And the Matriarch is generally thought of as an emasculating figure who denigrates black men, ala the characters Sapphire and Aunt Esther on the television shows Amos and Andy and Sanford and Son, respectively. Professor Perry points out how the propa- his book is con- cerned with understanding the emotional realities of black women’s lives in order to answer a politi- cal, not a personal, ques- tion: What does it mean to be a black woman and an American citizen? …The particular histo- ries of slavery, Jim Crow, urban segregation, racism, and patri- archy that are woven into the fabric of American politics have created a specif- ic citizenship imperative for African- American women—a role and image to which they are expected to conform. We can call this image the strong black woman… The strong black woman myth is a misrecognition of African-American Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch women. But it creates & McGee Funeral Home specific expectations for their behavior. ” Von D. Bailey — Excerpted from the Funeral Director Introduction (pgs. 20-21) What is it like to be a black woman in America? That is the basic question explored by Professor Melissa Harris-Perry in her fascinating new book, Sister gation of these harmful myths has served the mainstream culture well. For instance, the Mammy suggests that it is almost sec- ond nature for black females to feel a mater- nal instinct towards Caucasian babies. As for the source of the Jezebel, black women had no control over their own bod- ies during slavery given that they were being auctioned off and bred to maximize profits. Nonetheless, it was in the interest of plantation owners to propagate the lie that sisters were sluts inclined to mate indis- criminately. Sadly, that notion has persisted to this day, which is why so many African-American women’s rape allegations aren’t taken seri- ously, like that of the NYC hotel maid who recently leveled just such a claim against a well-connected guest from France. Despite the existence of DNA evidence, the charges were dropped, thereby leaving the accuser shamed by the insinuation that the contact must have been consensual. The author might argue that the stigma of the black female as loose played a role in the case’s disposition without even a trial. For as she points out here ever so succinct- ly, ”White men’s right of access to black women’s bodies was an assumption sup- ported both by their history as legal proper- ty and by the myth of their sexual promis- cuity,” and “Emancipation did not end the social and political usefulness of this stereo- type.” A feminist manifesto endeavoring to free sisters forever from the cruel and very lim- iting ways in which they continue to be pigeonholed. 20 NE 14th Avenue Portland, OR 97232 503-232-4111 Fax 503-231-1586 von.bailey@sci-us.com We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that work- ers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strength- ens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regard- less of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? September 21, 2011 The Portland Skanner Page 5
