The Revolution Televised: An Exploration of Stereotypes on Reality Television

Abstract

This study explores stereotypes and stereotype threats presented in the reality show: The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The analysis focuses on analyzing three modes of black womanhood as articulated in literary and historical texts, namely those of the Jezebel, Mammy, and Sapphire. The researcher identifies how modern modes of black womanhood are an amalgamation of the three historical stereotypes of black womanhood just mentioned. These modern black female stereotypes, stereotypes – “The Bad Bitch,” “Bitch,” and “The Mammy” – are historically marked by their historical antecedents: the Jezebel, the Mammy, and the Sapphire, respectively. These modifications are prominent in the reality show mentioned above. Characterization and actual aired television time are essential to understanding how perpetuations of the modes are successful in ratings with young black females. In order to analyze both historical and modern connotations of black female stereotypes, the researcher records and documents specific scenarios that emphasize those stereotypes particularly in The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Well-documented examples of black female stereotypes are provided and are effectively defined by other scholarly research.