Mathew W. Hughey states that "The MN (magical negro) has become a stock character that often appears as a lower class, uneducated black person who possesses supernatural or magical powers". This concept of what a magical negro is, highlights this idea that racism is hidden within our society. Although it is clearly implied that there is change in what media shows the audience, stereotypes of black individuals still prevail within our society. Black history has changed, however the concept behind slavery still continues, such that we can find it within our society. Stereotypes still exist because of the past.
Hughey makes a clear and important argument. He states that although black people are shown in media more as successful important people; there is this focus on white characters. White characters are subjects, and black people are shown as objects that help the white people succeed. This is an important factor because it contributes to this idea that black people’s feelings and emotions are not as relevant as white people’s feelings and emotions. The author uses the show Evan Almighty to highlight how blacks are portrayed in media. This example is essential because it highlights this idea that black people can be shown on media, but their own feelings and ideologies are not as important than white peoples feelings and ideologies. As an audience, this concept takes away that black people are again there to help white people.
In the past, black nannies and minstrelsy were great example of how we can find this in media today. Although we might not see “happy” black nannies serving their masters, or white people portraying black people by painting their faces to entertain other whites, we can still see the idea being carried out today.
A great example of this is Black History Month, for individuals to acknowledge, celebrate and learn about black history. Black history month exist, so people can educate themselves to learn all about the negative and positive contributions in black history. Howe an still find hidden racism within our society. Tim wise once said in his video that the bigger problems in society are being ignored, because we as society would like to think that there are improvements. He uses the example of information that is present to us, in which we categorize people. He talks about the word “underprivileged”, which is used to describe a group of people who do not have certain necessities to become independent.
The concept behind black history month and the concept behind the words presented to us, such as “underprivileged” can be linked because it gives individuals this contradicting notion that changes are present in our modern society, however how can changes be present when terms such as underprivileged exist? Underprivileged is an important example because it is used to describe minorities in such a way to distinguish “us” from “them”. This notion that they are different from us, because they do not have what we have or they are in this state because of the path they chose or the environment that they live in. These examples contribute to the idea that it must be thier own fault to become underprivileged.
This idea makes me think how quickly we are able to hold pride as a society because we see overall changes, (such as the end of slavery; blacks being shown in the media) but we refuse to see the bigger problems that are hidden within our socie
Great questions to consider are why is there words such as underprivileged in our society to describe minorities, yet society as a whole would like to think that opportunities have become more accessible as we are reminded of the past history and we see improvements from our past to our present, with the concept behind Black History Month.
Does this mean we are okay with what is being shown in media and how minorities are treated? or does this mean we have become better at ignoring the bigger problems because are constantly reminded that change has come.( change such as, the first black president in US) ?
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