Throughout the world, there always seems to be one dominant voice. A voice that tells one story depicted by certain individuals and their perspectives. In the reading To Protect and Serve the author Elaine Richardson speaks about the image of black women created by the dominant white voice. An image represented by sexually exploited black women with heartless characters. Ghetto, heart nigger bitches, and wenches are a few names once associated with black females. Black women were once important figures in slavery although to white supremacy were seen as unladylike, unfit, and immortal. Despite the demeaning names given by the once superior white group, black women struggle to overcome the negative image perceived by the world.
One main reason why the world continues to view black females as ghetto, sexually active, and heartless is because many black women themselves continue to think of themselves in that way. Black women during the age of slavery were forced to suffer through a lot. They were forced to become domestic servants and often times were forced into sexual activity by their masters. From that point on the term Jezebel was coined to describe black women whose sexual behavior was loose and immoral. The problem today although is that young black continue to exploit themselves rather than choosing to make a better life for themselves. At every corner of the American society negative images derived from slavery continue to be transferred onto television, music, and the media.
One main reason why the world continues to view black females as ghetto, sexually active, and heartless is because many black women themselves continue to think of themselves in that way. Black women during the age of slavery were forced to suffer through a lot. They were forced to become domestic servants and often times were forced into sexual activity by their masters. From that point on the term Jezebel was coined to describe black women whose sexual behavior was loose and immoral. The problem today although is that young black continue to exploit themselves rather than choosing to make a better life for themselves. At every corner of the American society negative images derived from slavery continue to be transferred onto television, music, and the media.
This is one of the central themes Richardson speaks upon in the reading. She recognizes the importance of black literacy. There is a lack of material that exposes the beauty in all that black women are. Although they are shaped by historical memory and social conditioning, they do not have to limit themselves to a life of opportunity. Joycelyn Moody depicts the concept of African American literacy as knowing, acting and the development of skills, vernacular expressive art and crafts that help females to advance and protect themselves. This one statement may be the key that unlocks black women from the shackles that once held them back. Not allowing negative images of their past become their future is a key eliminate to the positive development all black females as a whole.
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