Black Stereotypes

Project by Jermaine Windham

In this project, I will focus on the idea of the black stereotypes in the black community. The black nerd,

black thug, and brute stereotypes will be the most prevalent in this presentation. These stereotypes are

reinforced and given creation through African Americans' portrayal in the media. Because of these

stereotypes, blacks are forced to feel as though they have to act a certain way in society pressuring

them not be themselves. This makes it hard for some blacks to fit into their own community and it s trips

away a person’s individuality. We, as a community, must learn to accept others for the way they are and

uplift each other for being unique. We must understand that the media's portrayal of cultures is not always accurate and cannot truly define who people are.

My main goal in this project is to try to recreate the black community to be more accepting of individual

thought and personality by showcasing what blacks have offered into the media versus what we can

offer to the media. I also would like for people to understand that the images of people seen in media

do not define an ethnicity because we are all different. I will focus on how the media and the perception

of the black image affect how individuals try to fit into society. I want to open up the minds of people in

the black community so that they can be more accepting of people who are perceived to fit into the

black nerd stereotype or are just out of the ordinary when compared to the generalized image of an

African American. This is all to allow for African Americans to not feel ostracized by their own

community, but for them to realize that they do belong and that it’s okay for them to be themselves.

1 - What is a black nerd?

A black nerd is characterized to be an African American that resembles a nerd. Someone who is nerdy, geeky, wears glasses, can be considered socially awkward, wears "nerdier" clothing (like button-up shirts, jeans, etc). In media, the black nerd is often the character who is made fun of and used as a joke. African American men who fit into the black nerd stereotype appear to be less

masculine because these traits given to the black nerd are the exact opposite of the token image of black Americans that the

black community has become accustomed to.

2 - To give further insight...

I will give examples of African Americans in media who resemble the black nerd stereotype in the black community.

Starting with the comedians, Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele, they are two of the most recognizable black nerds in popular media today. They are the creators of the successful Comedy Central sketch show, "Key and Peele." They tend to do

comedy sketches, with most times, focusing on creating humor from black ideas, tropes, etc that exist in the black community.

3 - "Obama was the best thing for black nerds everywhere. Finally, we had a role model..."

According to CNN, Jordan Peele told news reporters, "Before Obama, we basically had Urkel." In light of Barack Obama's presidency, he made it more acceptable for black intellectuals and black nerds to be recognized as competent people rather than

jokes to be ridiculed by society. (Toby, Mekeisha Madden).

Steve Urkel

4 - Steve Urkel is a fictional character from the ABC/CBS sitcom, Family Matters. His character is arguably the most influential in creating the idea of the black nerd stereotype. Through Jaleel White's(the actor that played Steve Urkel) portrayal of Steve Urkel,

the media was given a central image of a black nerd. This black nerd caricature popularized the image of an African American who is extremely nerdy, comical, and less masculine. Even today, the black nerd stereotype is still being incorporated in the

media and doesn't always get the proper representation that it needs. In order for everyone in the black community to feel accepted, we need proper representation in the media so people do not feel like they don't belong.

5 - Andre Johnson Jr. from ABC's Black-Ish

6 - Lionel Higgens from Netflix series, Dear White People

7 - A.J from Nickelodeon's Fairly Odd Parents

Donald Glover

8 - Donald Glover (also known as Childish Gambino), is a well-renowned African American producer, DJ, singer, rapper, artist, writer, actor, director, etc. He is also unapologetically a black nerd. (Maddox, Brittney). Glover creates a more refined image of a

black nerd. With his multiple successes, he more than shows his worth and it makes him more of a role model to be successful

and not like the ordinary black celebrities we typically see in the media. Glover gives a positive light to the idea of black nerds because he is not being uncharacteristically detached from who he really is. He is authentic and real, showing that the black

nerd stereotype isn't all that it is perceived to be. "There ’s no one quite like him admittedly which is part of his charm. Gambino has inspired a generation of kids after him to be unapologetically themselves." (Maddox, Brittney).

9 - Chidi from NBC's sitcom The Good Place

An article from The New York Times states "Chidi i s the sort of character who, in past generations, might have been the butt of the joke more often than not. Instead, he’s a romantic lead on one of television’s most beloved shows. For a viewer like me,

who grew up being compared to characters l ike Steve Urkel, the ubernerd portrayed by Jaleel White on the ’90s sitcom “Family Matters ,” he summons a welcome, if skewed, sense of recognition." (Opam, Kwame)

Hip Hop's Influence on the Black Community

10 - A lot of influence of the black community has come from hip hop culture. Rappers like Tupac, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, etc, while have made amazing achievements for themselves and the black community, have also helped form a centralized image of

toxic masculinity that plagues the black community. A lot of hip hop induces a lot of the characteristics of the black thug stereotype giving images of violent, misogynistic, hypersexual, degrading, gang culture. (Ko, Lisa).

Since hip hop culture is so popular in the media, blacks would often try to incorporate the culture in their everyday lives. People who act too far outside the hip hop image are often ridiculed by the black community which forces people to feel pressured to be

a certain way in order to fit in.

11 - Thug For Life

The thug image has been adopted so many times from the media. Because of how media represents African Americans, the image of a gangster who's violent, criminal, and up to no good can come across someone's mind by just thinking about black

people.

12 - Lil Pump:

Lil Pump's image has created a strong influence in modern times. Through his rap music, he found success and is able to reach wide audiences. A quote from Jack Murphy describes Lil Pump's influence perfectly, "The stardom attained by Lil Pump creates a

whole host of cultural problems. Since Lil Pump’s work is under the large umbrella of hip-hop and rap, his music has the effect of trivializing the greater genre from an art form of expression to a senseless commodity. And because of Lil Pump’s popularity, his

music becomes representative of the entire genre in front of its mainstream audience. Therefore, the average person is likely to hear Lil Pump, and they might come to believe that this mindlessness is indicative of hip-hop. Thus, hip-hop culture is

diminished. "

Lil Pump's dreads may make some believe that he's part African American at first glance.

13 - Sagging

The act of sagging is very prevalent in hip hop culture and modern-day. Hip hop is what started the trend of sagging. It's become a common practice for many people, especially in African American communities because it is something that seems to be

indicative of popular hip hop culture.

14 - Tupac: Hip Hop Icon & Legend

From the time he began creating hip hop music, he became a very influential figure. He helped create the stable for hip hop

passing the torch for many artists today. Even though his mastery of hip hop cannot be denied, he did leave an image of masculinity that is apparent of hip hop culture.

It's completely okay to be the way that you are. No one should feel

pressured to act or be a certain way in order to fit into a community. We,

as a community, need to learn to accept and not ridicule others for

being their unique and authentic selves. The media can portray blacks in

a negative light, but there are some positive representations that exist in

the media as well. We must also diversify how blacks are portrayed in

the media so that we may better have an understanding of how blacks

truly are in the community. This will give blacks the power to be

themselves freely with little worry about being ridiculed or rejected for

being different. We are all different, but our community is the same. The

media may give a certain image of ethnicities, but that's not indicative of

who people are. It is up to us to change our community for the better.

References

Ko, Lisa. “Independent Lens . HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats & Rhymes . Masculinity.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2007, www.pbs.org/independentlens/hiphop/masculinity.htm.

Maddox, Brittney. “Black Nerd Profile #6 - Donald Glover.” Medium, A Medium Corporation, 20 Feb. 2017, medium.com/@nerdypoc/black-nerd-profile-6-donald-glover-3e1317c82b7c.

Murphy, Jack. “ESKETIT: A Cultural Analysis of Lil Pump.” The Prolongation of Work F171, Williams Sites,

12 Dec. 2017, sites.williams.edu/f18-engl117-01/uncategorized/esketit-a-cultural-analysis-of-lil-pump/.

Opam, Kwame. “On 'The Good Place,' Chidi Redefines the Black Nerd.” NYT, The New York Times, 24 Sept. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/09/24/arts/television/the-good-place.html.

Toby, Mekeisha Madden. “The Rise of the Black Nerd in Pop Culture.” CNN, Cable News Network, 31 Mar. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/03/31/showbiz/rise-of-black-nerds/index.html.