Discussion between hooks and Perry

In class, we recently watched bell hooks and Melissa Harris-Perry have a discussion about race in our society. They both had very interesting perspectives on how minorities are portrayed in society. One interesting fact that hook brought up during the conversation was how in the movie “12 years of slave” Patsy (played by Lupita Nyong)  was the one in charge on helping the man and herself in the movie. hook questioned black masculinity in order to show that there is this constant need to portray black women as fragile, yet caretakers for others.  In Cinethetic Racism: White Redemption and Black Stereotypes in “Magical Negro” Films, the authors states that “film—the “magical negro” (“MN”). The MN has become a stock character that often appears as a lower class, uneducated black person who possesses supernatural or magical powers” (Hughey 2009). After reading this important article, I came to an understanding that Magical negro pertains to this idea of helping the white succeed. However, I question this idea and ask can a black person still be consider a magical negro in films, when they are helping other blacks succeed or find the right path”? Does this ideology pertain to black women?. When hook mentioned how black masculinity can be questioned in this film, the first idea that came to mind was the concept behind magical Negro.  Black women are often depicted in two ways. They are either in charge of their own family, and they speak their mind (portraying a sense of masculinity). The other way that black women are often depicted as are nannies who like to care of whites, and are jolly and understanding towards their white masters (portraying a sense of femininity). I combined these 2 different ways that black women are depicted in media, and linked it with what a “magical negro” is.

 Although in most cases men are portrayed as a “magical negro”, in this case, Patsy was the one who was portraying a magical Negro. She was shown as the uneducated, poor black women who was not only developing herself as a character, but also helping develop Solomon as a character, who was lost before. From one perspective, she is portrayed as a nanny like figure, who is helping the white characters. In her recent interview, Lupita Nyong (Patsy) talks about her character as a “slave”. Patsy’s master is Mr. Epps who uses her for his own personal gain. (Here is the link to the interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Xt0wcZtds).  During the interview Lupita says Patsy is “very good humored, and she’s also the object of his (Mr. Epps) affection”.  With this statement, it can be implied that Patsy is portrayed as the “nanny”, who is there to serve the white. On the other hand, she is shown as someone who can help Solomon, a character who seems to be lost. She, then can be considered a “magical negro”. Although she is not helping someone who is “white”. She is still portraying someone who is a source of light to guide another person. This relates to the notion that she is depicted as a dominant character who is tough on her own family, but in this case it is Solomon.

When hook mentioned this movie, and brought up how black women were depicted in media? Did you question how the character Patsy can relate to “magical negro”?

Did you also see how this movie questions black masculinity? Was he a different character than how blacks are actually portrayed in media?