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March 21, 2024

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Spring Housing Guide

Image of black women focus of Brown Bag

Wednesday at the Women’s Center Brown Bag Lunch the topic was all about the many representations of black women.

Maisha Wester, assistant professor of English and American Cultures Studies was the presenter. Wester said she chose to start researching the topic of the representation of black women for many reasons. She said some of it had to do with the recent election and Michelle Obama.

Another reason, she said, was how it personally affected her.

To start off her presentation Wester shared a personal story about an exchange she had with a colleague. In a conversation about dating, aging and starting a family, Wester’s colleague made a comment that Wester’s kind of woman leaves trail of abortions behind her, not trails of children.

“I didn’t know what to say or do. What did he mean by ‘kind of women?’ Feminist? Academic? Sexually-liberated? Black? What should I do?” Wester said.

After her story introduction, Wester posed a question.

“Today I want to ask what it is to be a black woman,” Wester said.

She talked about black female stereotypes ranging from the Black Matriarch, like Tyler Perry’s Madea, to the Black Lady, like Omarosa from “The Apprentice,” to the Mammy, like Aunt Jemima.

Wester talked about the divide in sexuality in the representation of black female sexuality. For instance, the contrast between the overtly sexual video vixens and Aunt Jemima who has no sexual appeal despite her ample bosom.

“It seems to me there is a huge gap between hyper sexuality and asexuality. I know this is an impossible question to answer, but do you think there will ever be a reclaiming of black female sexuality?” Susana Pena, associate professor of Ethnic Studies, asked Wester.

“That’s a question I’ve always struggled with. I hope to God so.” Wester said.

Wester talked about how many black women don’t like the images of them that are presented by the media and yet often refer to women they know who don’t fulfill these stereotypes as Bouji or caring too much about pleasing white people.

“The women who are exceptions to this black identity are considered not black enough for the black community,” said A’ame Kone, the graduate assistant for the Women’s Center.

Wester said Obama’s presence in the media has stirred up a lot of talk about black women stereotypes. Obama has recently been compared to Claire Huxtable from “The Cosby Show.” Both women are considered representations of women who backed their man while still being outspoken. Wester said that they are, however, still viewed as exceptions to the general rule instead of women who are changing the stereotype.

Wester finished her presentation with a few questions.

“How can and should we represent black womanhood? How do we escape such histories of ensnaring images? Or should we, rather, re-claim these images, locating in them sources and ideas of strength?” Wester said.

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