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By: Akon Angara
The “angry black woman” trope is a stereotype that has been used in the media for a long time. Painting black women as “aggressive” or “angry”, aims to demonise black women for simply showing emotion. The effects of this stereotype are extremely harmful and impact black women greatly.
The roots of this go back as far as slavery, as black women were depicted as berating and aggressive towards men, the opposite of white women, who were seen as passive. The portrayal of black women in this way was done to justify the enslavement of black women, as well as the sexual and physical abuse towards them. In minstrel shows, black women were seen as promiscuous, greedy, and inappropriate, only furthering the dehumanisation of them. It was believed that black women were hypersexual, and so sexual abuse was justified towards them.
As entertainment developed, the term ‘sapphire’ was coined in early sitcoms to describe overbearing and stubborn black women. Sapphire, Mammy, and Jezebel are the three main racist tropes to belittle and dehumanise black women, reducing them to stereotypes. Black women are either seen as hypersexual, motherly, or angry.
In the media today, black women are almost always portrayed as angry, or often ‘sassy’. We are labeled as aggressive, ill-tempered, domineering, and confrontational. It’s a trope that has been used in tv and movies for decades, but it is one that is fortunately being used less. However, the damage this trope has caused has real implications on black women.
Due to this exposure in the media, black women in real life are often still perceived in this way. Multiple studies prove this, as black women are characterised as loud, talkative, aggressive, and argumentative. Black people are already perceived as angry and hostile, and the angry black woman stereotype only enforces this. This also changes the relationship that black women have with misogyny. Although women are often seen as soft and gentle (stereotypes that are still harmful), black women are often seen as the complete opposite.
The masculinisation of black women, and the belief that we are too emotional often leads to unique experiences when encountering misogyny, experiences shaped by race and the connection of misogyny and racism. Black women, including myself, often detach from expressing vulnerability in situations because we simply cannot afford to. Expressing emotion often leads to being labelled with this stereotype, even if it is rightfully so. As a black woman, I continue to struggle with my own emotions. I feel as though I cannot express my emotion, in fear of being labeled as an angry black woman.
I am perceived to be intimidating, confrontational, overbearing and forceful, simply on the basis of being a black woman. In situations where I should feel rightfully angry, I feel trapped. The problem is, this is not a unique experience. Many black women are labeled as such, including black women in the media.
An example of this is Serena Williams. In 2018 during the finals of the US Women's’ Championship, she was penalised and fined for an outburst. She perceived it as unfair treatment from the referee and led to accusing them of sexism. Many athletes have outbursts, but the negative attitudes shown toward Williams are not the same as the ones seen between them. As well as first lady Kamala Harris, black female politicians who are assertive are viewed negatively, in comparison to white male politicians.
Often, when this stereotype is called out by black women, we are accused of being a “angry black women”. It is a perpetual cycle, and black women often avoid calling it out in fear of being called one. To avoid being seen as the angry black woman in general, black women often fall into a place of neutrality, avoiding emotion and emotional outburst. This also falls into the “strong black woman” stereotype, another harmful one.
Overall, the angry black woman stereotype has serious implications and effects on black women, and warps the perception of them, feeling as though they must hide their emotion and remain neutral. Being able to express emotion without being demonised is extremely important, and it is vital to abolish these harmful stereotypes.
SOURCES
https://youtu.be/r4uIKUIB5Z4
https://youtu.be/ProEYXRBd2s
https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/what-are-roots-of-the-angry-black-woman-stereoty
pe/522-a2d3d354-8c3e-43f2-9434-b8a3101bc8ad
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2019/05/31/overcoming-the-angry-black-woman-stereoty
pe/?sh=287949511fce
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45476500