WE’LL TAKE IT
WE’LL TAKE IT
With black creators giving more acceptability to the image, it is now starting to appear more often in television commercials as well. Most recently some variation of this character has appeared in commercials for Dairy Queen, Universal Studios and Captain Morgan rum.
But despite the popularity of such characters among blacks, the use of the image of big black women as the target of so many jokes is troublesome to some marketers and media scholars.
“It is perpetuating a stereotype that black females are strong, aggressive, controlling people,’’ said Tommy E. Whittler, a marketing professor at DePaul University. “I don’t think you want to do that.’’
However, I am so not feeling the New York Times’ rampant use of the words “blacks.”
August 1st, 2006 at 4:06 pm
You see they are trying to be the fair and balanced reporting service that they were 30 years ago. The Editor decreed that the Times would work to be a trusted source once again and report on things just like they did back in the day.
Who reads the NYT anyway? I much prefer the Register. http://www.dmregister.com
August 1st, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Was Mo’nique shooting a hair dryer commercial on an airplane? I hear that image is becoming more popular.
August 1st, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Also, FYI, in the original draft of the article, the word was “negresses.” Not even capitalized.
August 1st, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Judge Motley used to say “blacks.” Is it wrong?
August 1st, 2006 at 5:36 pm
well, for someone from that generation, no…i mean lydon johnson said “negroes” while signing the civil rights bill…but in 2006 the new york freaking times should do better.
August 1st, 2006 at 7:20 pm
What’s the preferred term? African Americans? Is “blacks” not ok as definition of an ethnic group, but ok as an adjective? I.e., is it ok to say, “that black girl standing over there,” or should one say “that African American girl standing over there” or something else? Not that I notice if someone is black or white, but for other people, you know.
Not being cute, really want to know.
August 1st, 2006 at 7:26 pm
As a general matter, I would prefer to see “african-american” followed by a noun, “the african-american actress then smothers her two pretend children in her armpits.”
As opposed to the standalone african-americans. Like no one would ever say “the shorts are marginalized in the media” or the “fats have to pay higher airfare.”
I guess I don’t mind “black girl” but “blacks” really grates my last nerve.
Clareified: All about education and information.
August 1st, 2006 at 10:30 pm
The problem with “African American” is there are white people from Africa. If you’re African American, what is Teresa Kerry (who was born in Mozambique)?
August 1st, 2006 at 11:01 pm
is saying “black people or black women” better than saying blacks?
August 1st, 2006 at 11:48 pm
I have an Egyptian-American friend who marks off “African American” on forms because it’s the only ethnic appellation that remotely fits.
Also, I had the amusing experience once of hearing an uncle, from an older generation, who had come back from a safari in Africa and was showing pictures of the locals and was trying to be sensitive, saying, “those are the nati . . , uh, Afri . . uh, African Americans who helped us with our gear.” (Although now that I think of it, I suppose the uncle didn’t really need to point out the locals’ race.)
So I guess in the US we have the issue of what word you use to define an ethnic group; because “African American” doesn’t capture everyone in the group it’s supposed to define (e.g., people not from America), and includes some people who aren’t really in the group we’re talking about (e.g., Egyptians).
But I suspect the real problem with “African American” or “Black People” from the NYT’s point of view is that it takes up too much space.
Anyway, I figure I’ll use whatever appellation I’m told to. So until I hear otherwise, “African-American people” it is. So sayeth Dawn.
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
See? That’s why all whites need one black friend!
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:31 am
That’s why all whites need one black friend!
That’s European-American to you, young lady!
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:33 am
Excuse me, I prefer the term “European-American people,” thank you very much.
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:49 am
Padum-dum. They’ll be here all year, ladies and gents.