Decolonizing Representation- A Step Too Far
The Mammy stereotype is one that persisted well into the 20th and 21st centuries, with many portrayals of black women in popular culture perpetuating the stereotype. One such portrayal was Mammy Two Shoes from Tom and Jerry. Mammy Two Shoes was a character who appeared in the early episodes of Tom and Jerry, as the maid of the house. She was often shown as being overweight, wearing a bandana on her head, and having exaggerated features. Her portrayal was criticized for being racist, as it perpetuated the stereotype that Black women are servile, obedient, and jovial (McElya, 16).
Due to the criticism and backlash, Mammy Two Shoes was rightfully removed from the later episodes of Tom and Jerry. This decision was justified as it recognized the harmful nature of the stereotype and sought to rectify it by removing the character from the show. However, there is some contention surrounding the removal of certain portrayals of black women from popular culture. One such portrayal is Aunt Jemima, whose origins can be traced back to the South during slavery.
The picture (right) of the Aunt Jemima brand was modeled after a real person, Nancy Green, who had origins in slavery and was a cook and storyteller. Her first 'appearance' as Aunt Jemima occurred at the Chicago World's Fair, where white participants got to experience "home-cooked food right from a Black woman," McElya, 17). Some argue that the Aunt Jemima brand serves as a reminder of the real black women who worked as cooks and caretakers during a time when they were treated as property. However, others argue that the Aunt Jemima brand perpetuates the 'Mammy' stereotype and is therefore racist. The brand has gone through several redesigns over the years, with the most recent redesign in 2020 aiming to move away from the stereotypical portrayal and towards a more modern representation of black women. Eventually, the brand became Pearl Milling Company and removed any characterization of Black women from their packaging. This was the first time since its inception the brand had a name other than Aunt Jemima, which gets its name from post-Civil War (racist) minstrel shows (McEyla, 20).
It is important to recognize and rectify harmful portrayals of marginalized groups in popular culture, such as the 'Mammy' stereotype. However, it is also important to consider the context and history behind certain portrayals and not simply erase them without acknowledging their origins. The removal of Mammy Two Shoes from Tom and Jerry was justified due to its harmful portrayal, but the Aunt Jemima brand can serve as a reminder of the real black women who worked as cooks and caretakers during a time of great oppression. However, Aunt Jemima and references to slavery are not the only characteristics being challenging in current branding. There is a push in Hollywood and in the realm of production to "Make strong corrective actions," in regards to the removal of these portrayals (Yuen). However, this course of action can come at the cost of silencing positive representations as well. By recognizing the context and history behind certain portrayals and seeking to move towards more accurate and respectful representation, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
Works Cited
McElya, M. (2007). Clinging to mammy: The faithful slave in Twentieth-century America. Harvard University Press.
Yuen, N. W. (n.d.). How racial stereotypes in popular media affect people - and what Hollywood can do to become more inclusive. Scholars Strategy Network. https://scholars.org/contribution/how-racial-stereotypes-popular-media-affect-people-and-what-hollywood-can-do-become
Mia from Land O Lakes is another example of a controversial representation of a minority group. For decades, the butter company featured a Native American woman on its packaging, commonly referred to as the "butter maiden." In 2019, however, Land O Lakes announced that they would be removing the image of the maiden from their packaging, citing that it no longer reflects the company's values. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with some applauding the move towards inclusivity and others feeling that the removal was unnecessary and even erasing a part of their culture. Minnesota Lt. Governor and White Earth Band of Ojibwe member Peggy Flanagan shared on Twitter "Thank you, Native people are not mascots or logos," (Wu, 2). However, on the other hand, people thought that 'Mia' was a faithful and accurate depiction of Native women. Painted by Native artist Patrick DesJarleit, many feel people of their culture "dont often get to experience Native people drawing Native bodies," (Wu, 3).
The debate around the Land O Lakes decision brings up an important question: at what point does decolonizing representation go too far? While it is undoubtedly important to remove blatantly racist and offensive stereotypes, there is also value in honoring and representing the culture and history of minority groups. This is a delicate balance that requires careful consideration and consultation with the communities being represented.
Works Cited
Wu, K. J. (2020, April 28). Land O’Lakes Drops the Iconic Logo of an Indigenous Woman From Its Branding. Smithsonian Magazine. ://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.bobbyhoexplorations.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11231496/land_o.pdf.
Billy Porter's portrayal of the character Fab G in the 2021 remake of Cinderella was another portrayal that sparked controversy and debate. Fab G is a genderless version of the Fairy Godmother character traditionally depicted as a woman. While some praised the inclusion of a non-binary character, others argued that it was a forced attempt at diversity and did not accurately represent non-binary individuals. Other groups claimed that Billy Porter's character embodied the old 'Magical Negro' trope as well. This trope characterizes a "morally upright Black character," that serves as the non-white main character's moral compass (Glenn and Cunningham, 4). This trope identifies with African and African-American individuals' "liminality" and is heavily informed by other racist portrayals previously mentioned (Glenn and Cunningham, 3).
The controversy surrounding Fab G's portrayal highlights the ongoing debate about representation in media and the need for accurate and authentic representation of marginalized groups. While it is important to increase representation and diversify the media landscape, it is also important to ensure that it is done in a respectful and accurate manner. As with the previous examples, the controversy surrounding Fab G highlights the difficulty in navigating representation in media. It is important to acknowledge and address harmful stereotypes and portrayals while also creating authentic and accurate representations of underrepresented groups. The conversation surrounding Fab G provides an opportunity for further discussion and education about LGBTQ+ individuals and their portrayal in film and also allows us as viewers to reflect on how other portrayals of 'The Magical Negro' or other such tropes have persisted unbeknownst. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a media landscape that accurately and respectfully represents all individuals and communities.
Works Cited
Glenn, C. L., & Cunningham, L. J. (2007). The power of black magic. Journal of Black Studies, 40(2), 135–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934707307831
Throughout this conversation, we have discussed the persisting issue of racist portrayals in media and the importance of decolonizing representation. From the Mammy stereotype to Chief Wahoo and the Redskins, there has been a constant struggle to remove and challenge these depictions. However, as we have seen, there are also cases where the community being portrayed defends a particular character, such as Aunt Jemima and Mia from Land O Lakes.
In recent years, there has been a particularly harsh political landscape, with the Trump presidency reigniting and emboldening racism in various forms. In the face of such adversity, many artists and activists have sought to reclaim black identity and culture, including in the realm of media representation. Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino)'s song "This is America" is a powerful example of this, featuring stark imagery and commentary on both the history and present-day manifestations of racism in America. In this context, it is important to recognize the significance of symbols such as Jim Crow, public execution(s), and police vehicles which were all used to uphold segregation and white supremacy in the past (and present). While these symbols have been largely removed from mainstream media, they continue to hold a potent meaning in the fight against racism and oppression. By portraying a Black man (Donald Glover) in the midst of all this imagery, this video symbolizes how oppressive the American government and people were, and are still, to Black citizens. This project acts as a chronology of many forms of racism presented in media throughout time, culminating in the volatile political climate we see ourselves in now. While old, this video still provides vivid imagery of this process, and what it accumulated to over time.