The Hidden Bias in American Art

In this episode of "Badly Governed," the focus is on social justice, specifically addressing the disparities in sexuality and representation of Black women in American art. Guests Allan Sousa, curator at Black Walls Gallery, and PHIA, a Boston-based multidisciplinary artist, join the discussion.

Despite some progress, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in U.S. museums, contributing to harmful stereotypes like the Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire. These stereotypes distort the true experiences of Black women, leading to social exclusion and mental health challenges linked to discrimination.

Black women artists are actively reclaiming their space and challenging these portrayals, but they still face considerable barriers. This conversation examines the impact of these disparities on social well-being, mental health, and cultural representation in the art world.

Resources

Pilgrim, D. (2012). The mammy caricature. Ferris State University. Ferris State University. https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/mammies/

YouTube Video: Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2teqoyPe3TU

Jim Crow Museum. (n.d.). Jezebel Stereotype. Jim Crow Museum. Available at: https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/jezebel/index.htm

Baptist News Global. (n.d.). Jezebel is one of three common racial slurs against all Black women and girls. Available at: https://baptistnews.com/article/jezebel-is-one-of-three-common-racial-slurs-against-all-black-women-and-girls/

Springer. (2022). The Jezebel Stereotype. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-77827-6_620 • Jim Crow Museum. (n.d.). Sapphire Stereotype. Jim Crow Museum. https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/sapphire/index.htm

Skeptic Ink. (2015). Mammy, Jezebel, Sapphire, or Queen: Stereotypes of the African American Female. http://www.skepticink.com/lateraltruth/2015/02/18/mammy-jezebel-sapphire-or-queen/

Credits:

Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens

Producer: Lydje Lahens

Writers: Lydje Lahens, Alan Sousa, Sophia Dubuisson

Videographer: Anthony Schultz

Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens

Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big

Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net)

Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero and Anthony Schultz

Branding: Zozimus

Keywords:

#ArtAndIdentity

#BreakingStereotypes

#BlackWomenInArt

#SocialJusticeInArt

#RepresentationMatters

#ReclaimingNarratives

#ArtAndSexuality

#MentalHealthThroughArt

#DiverseArtVoices

#ArtAgainstDiscrimination