The documentary Ethnic Notions depicts the history of popular culture’s use of demeaning stereotypes and caricatures of African Americans from the early 19th century to the middle of the 20th century.  Prior to the abolition of slavery, stereotypes of African Americans were created to justify slavery.  After emancipation, stereotypes of African Americans were created to illustrate former slave’s “inability” to adapt to freedom, thus resulting in increased southern racial violence to keep freedmen in order.



America during slavery:


1) Describe the “Sambo" stereotype.

2) Describe the “Zip Coon” stereotype.

3) Describe the “Mammie” stereotype.

4) How did EACH of these stereotypes help to justify slavery?  


America after emancipation:


5) Describe the “Brute” stereotype.

6) Describe the “Uncle” stereotype.

7) Describe the “Pickaninny” stereotype.

8) Describe the “Urban Coon”

9) How did EACH of these stereotypes help to justify racial violence and oppression after emancipation?  How did they contribute to discrimination?