Stereotypes In The African-American Community

Michael Ray Charles is an American artist and a prominent influence in the African and African Diaspora studies at The University of Texas. He is well known for his art that combats stereotypes in the African-American community. The bluntness of the imagery he uses in his art engages the audience by forcing them to reflect and challenge the stereotypes they may conform to or accept as the truth. At the Michael Ray Charles Exhibit in the Gordon-White Building, a collection of prints, sculptures, chalk-sketches and paintings voice Charles’ protest against the ideology placed on the Black community over a century ago. Observing this artistic rebellion in one of the many ways the audience can understand the concept of stereotypes, particularly in the African-American community and the consequences those labels carry.

The “mammy,” “coon” and “sambo” are just a few examples of stereotypes that categorized both men and women of color into certain societal roles, physical appearances, and behaviors. As described by Ethnic Notions, artwork portraying exaggerated appearances or conventionalized activities of Black people was “taken for granted” and “worked… into the mainstream of American life.” These depictions decorated homes and places for amusement, and as they were seen more commonly, the impressions of Black people and culture were normalized through these false or exaggerated images. The repetition of seeing images such as these has a powerful influence of the subconscious. Ethnic Notions stated that “the cumulative effect of these images produced over and over again, seen over and over again... become really destructive stereotypes.” History and present-day stereotypes serve as evidence of this statement, and Charles uses it to protest earlier impressions and revolutionize African-American culture’s awareness of their