The Depiction of Black Women throughout the History

Student’s Name
Educator’s Name
Course Title
Submission Date
Comparative Analysis
I. Introduction
After watching numerous films from various eras in American film history, I now have a deeper awareness of the numerous ways in which black women have been depicted in film. Throughout history, the depiction of black actresses has primarily been unpleasant by undertaking stereotypical roles such as, the submissive servant, overtly carnal women, Mammies, or Sapphires; the spiteful, angry, evil black woman. The depiction of black women as lewd by nature is a continuing stereotype. The descriptive phrases linked to this typecast are singular in their focus: worldly, lewd, seductive, tempting, alluring et cetera. Historically, as categorization, white women, were depicted as archetypes of modesty, self-respect, sexual-purity, and self-control, whereas black women were habitually portrayed as predatory and intrinsically promiscuous.
II. Description
To successfully complete this assignment, I watched Douglas Sirk’s “Imitation of Life,” which was newly released by Universal together with its original version created and directed by John Stahl in 1934. This account of two mothers (both single), one white and the other black – and of motherly love, victimization, and breaking the color line – is a brilliant social symptom. Both film versions were derived from Fannie Hurst’s’ 1933 best seller.
John’s “Imitation of Life” addressed the issues of class, gender and race head-on. Bea Pullman, the white protagonist is not successful in her endeavors; the most sympathetic and complex character, black Peola Johnson, is a victim of racism, both internalized and institutionalized. Behind both we have Aunt Delilah; Peola light-skinned mother. Happily mishandled by her white spouse for her entire life, Aunt Delilah represents victimized black women, something the film affirms by giving her a state level burial. However, the real victim is Washington’s Peola. The tragic reality is this is the only role Hollywood would present this politically aware and accomplished actress. Essentially, she plays...