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Stereotypes In The Film Imitation Of Life

408 Words2 Pages

In Sociology, stereotypes are described as "pictures in our heads" that we do not acquire through personal experience. I believe that stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. As well justification for dehumanizing minorities. Such as Black women are "Mammy", "Welfare Mothers", "Uneducated", " Inferior", and "Poor". White women are "Pure", "Desirable", "Affluent" and "Superior". These stereotypes are labels that evoke images of oppression, segregation and exploitation of minorities in America. Meanwhile reinforcing dominance in a social hierarchy.
The film Imitation of Life (1959) indicates the power behind stereotypes. It strongly depicts the relationship between a Black American woman, Annie Johnson and …show more content…

This action indicates Sarah Jane mentality and hatred towards people of color. It is intended to reveal to the audience that Sarah Jane believed that Whites are superior to Blacks. As well display the stereotype that Whites are more desirable. Therefore, Sarah Jane prefer to be identified as “White” as opposed to “Black”.
Sarah Jane experiences with stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and socialization provoked her to "pass" at school. As a child, she recognized that her imitation of ‘White” afforded opportunities of mobility, education, acceptance and privilege. Her mother’s appearance as “Black” afforded opportunities of poverty, inferiority, and inequality. So, she fails to mention her mother’s identity and occupation to classroom peers and teacher. Sarah Jane desires cultural assimilation and white privilege.
In the Imitation of Life, Sarah Jane dates a “White” teenage guy who later becomes aggressive and violent towards her when he discovers she’s Black. This scene was intended to dehumanize Sarah Jane racial identity. While reinforcing the stereotype, Black women are "Mammy", "Welfare Mothers", "Uneducated", " Inferior", and "Poor". White women are "Pure", "Desirable", "Affluent" and "Superior". This experience with dominative racism triggered Sarah Jane to run away from her Black mother and fully change

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