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African American Images in Film

The image of African Americans in film has made a gradual shift from that of the past. From the degrading and negative stereotypes of the early minstrel shows, to the inspirational and uplifting depiction of race movies, to the breaking of role barriers of modern day films. This gradual shift has allowed the African American culture to develop and expand along with the likes of the motion picture industry, all the while dealing with, experiencing and overcoming the racial stereotypes that served as barriers for African Americans in the beginning.
The early images of African Americans, stemming from that of the times of slavery, were depictions of an uneducated people, happy go lucky people, people who sat around doing nothing all day but dancing and singing, eating and sleeping.
These images were images that derived from the times of slavery. The stereotypical images and misconceptions of African American images in movies have been a constant theme of mockery and ignor...

Posted by: Andres Cisneros

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