Male Mammies: A Social-Comparison Perspective on How Exaggeratedly Overweight Media Portrayals of Madea, Rasputia, and Big Momma Affect How Black Women Feel About Themselves

Chen, Gina Masullo; Williams, Sherri; Hendrickson, Nicole; Chen, Li

doi:10.1080/15205436.2011.569682

Cited by 26 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…For Black women, we propose, it is the perception of strength, tied into racial images of the Black mammy and the matriarch which may influence when or how health services or advice are both sought by and offered to them. This suggestion is supported by research which indicates that in a sample of African American women, self-esteem was affected by negative and comedic portrayals of larger bodies, both Black and White (Chena et al, 2012). Lau (2011) found that mainstream pressure of slenderness as the ideal body size and shape juxtaposed with cultural standards of femininity which affirm larger female body shapes within African American communities made it difficult for Black women confidently to address their weight management issues and seek medical advice.…”

Section: Stereotyping In the Clinicmentioning

confidence: 86%

Strong, female and Black: Stereotypes of African Caribbean women’s body shape and their effects on clinical encounters

Andrews¹,

Greenfield

Drever³

et al. 2016

Health (London)

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The aim of this article is to explore how tendencies to stereotype minority ethnic groups intersect with lay discourses about them in ways that can reproduce cultural prejudices and reinforce inequalities in access to services and health outcomes. Drawing upon Black feminist and cultural studies literature, we present a theoretical examination, the stereotypes of the Black woman as 'mammy' and 'matriarch'. We suggest that the influence of these two images is central to understanding the normalisation of the larger Black female body within African Caribbean communities. This representation of excess weight contradicts mainstream negative discourses of large bodies that view it as a form of moral weakness. Seeking to stimulate reflection on how unacknowledged stereotypes may shape clinical encounters, we propose that for Black women, it is the perception of strength, tied into these racial images of 'mammy' and 'matriarch' which may influence when or how health services or advice are both sought by them and offered to them. This has particular significance in relation to how body weight and weight management are/are not talked about in primary care-based interactions and what support Black women are/are not offered. We argue that unintentional bias can have tangible impacts and health outcomes for Black women and possibly other minority ethnic groups.

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Section: Stereotyping In the Clinicmentioning

confidence: 86%

Strong, female and Black: Stereotypes of African Caribbean women’s body shape and their effects on clinical encounters

Andrews¹,

Greenfield

Drever³

et al. 2016

Health (London)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Historically, the mass media have stereotyped Black females as mammies, Jezebels and/or Sapphires (West, ). Mammies are desexualized servants who act as caregivers to white children (West, ) and are often portrayed as heavy‐set and masculine (Chen, Williams, Hendrickson, & Chen, ). The historical version of Aunt Jemima on syrup bottles—heavy set and wearing a bandana representing the times of slavery—is one such representation of a mammy (Fuller, ).…”

Section: The Media Representation Of Black Femalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The representation of women and girls of color in United States crime news

Slakoff

2019

Sociology Compass

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There is a large body of literature examining the media portrayals of white females as both victims and offenders in crime news, but very little is known about how minority females—including Black, Latina, Middle Eastern, Native American, and Asian women and girls—are portrayed in these roles. In this literature review, I discuss general stereotypes surrounding women of color and their depictions within crime news stories as both victims and offenders. An examination of crime news media portrayals of minority females reveals that outdated and harmful stereotypes provide media personnel frames with which to write their stories. The negative portrayals of minority women and girls—as both victims and offenders—serve to reinforce racist beliefs and affect how consumers view political issues.

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“…All participants felt that they were healthy and did not realize that a body mass index 30 was overweight or obese. While most AA females during the 1950s were large, their appearance was viewed as positive, indicating that AA women who were obese cooked good soul food dishes (Chen, Williams, Hendrickson, & Chen, 2012). According to Chen et al, obese AA women think that people with excess weight are healthy and small people are unhealthy.…”

Section: Research Questionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Obese African American Women Regarding Altering Traditional Soul Food Preparation

Young

2018

JSBHS

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The obesity epidemic continues to be a major concern in the United States. The World Health Organization reported that 1.4 billion adults were either obese or overweight African American (AA) women have the highest incidence of obesity worldwide. A qualitative descriptive study was used to explore the perceptions of obese AA women about altering how they prepare soul food to make it healthier. The empowerment model and the health belief model were used to frame this study. Data were collected using a nonprobability purposeful sampling strategy. The sample for this study consisted of four focus groups with six to seven obese AA women ages 21–90 who prepared and consumed high-calorie soul foods and had a body mass index ³30. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative analysis. It was found that obese AA women were willing to alter their traditional soul food preparation only if it tastes good, recipes are available, it is cost effective, and it produces minimum food waste. Barriers that could limit participation in an intervention as well as recommendations for designing interventions are discussed.

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Male Mammies: A Social-Comparison Perspective on How Exaggeratedly Overweight Media Portrayals of Madea, Rasputia, and Big Momma Affect How Black Women Feel About Themselves

Cited by 26 publications

References 46 publications

Strong, female and Black: Stereotypes of African Caribbean women’s body shape and their effects on clinical encounters

Strong, female and Black: Stereotypes of African Caribbean women’s body shape and their effects on clinical encounters

The representation of women and girls of color in United States crime news

Perceptions of Obese African American Women Regarding Altering Traditional Soul Food Preparation

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