Black girl magic

Running head: MAMMIES, MATRIARCHS, AND OTHER CONTROLLING IMAGES

MAMMIES, MATRIARCHS, AND OTHER CONTROLLING IMAGES

Mammies, Matriarchs, and Other Controlling Images

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Mammies, Matriarchs, and Other Controlling Images

In the United States, Patricia Hill Collins defines the controlling images used to shape the public’s concepts of an African American woman, as stated in chapter 4 of “Black Feminist Thought.” The following are her descriptive images: the “jezebel,” the “black lady,” the “welfare mother,” the matriarch, and the mammy (Collins 78). In this discussion I will use an image that has features that will challenge the Mammy’s construction/myth.

Accordingly, the “black lady” is a controlling image created to support the oppression of African Americans. As stated in my lecture, I would choose the show host Oprah Winfrey

and identify the ways that her persona challenges the Mammy construction/myth. Oprah has shattered glass ceilings and ascended to a level previously considered unattainable for women in general and Black women specifically. I feel this image challenges some of the mythical constructions outlined in the film because Winfrey is described as a hardworking and reliable figure in the workplace. This image disqualifies myths such as women are supposed to do only house chores and take care of children, and they can only handle small-light jobs in a family setting. However, Winfrey’s ability to create a feeling of intimacy with her audience has long been cited as one of the foundations of her popularity. She has repeatedly made national headlines by engaging and informing her audience with respect to her personal relationships to race, gender, feminism, and New Age culture. I see Winfrey’s image as being “responsible for the disadvantage status of African Americans,” due to her hardworking nature. A hardworking black lady represents the minority group of oppressed women in society. The Winfrey image demonstrates how hardworking women use their abilities and strength to gain success in life. This success is specifically inspiring as she shows how black women should overcome barriers associated with gender roles.

References

Collins, P. H. (2000). Mammies, matriarchs, and other controlling images.