Stereotypes About Black Women

[RainbowFanGirl]

As a black teenage girl, I have had my fair share of stereotypes. It makes me sad, because I, and other black females get put into this stereotype that is just not true, and i thought I'd write this take to clear up some of the most common things that are said about women and girls of color. Keep in mind that I'm going off of what I heard, and some of these you may have not heard before.

1. We all have short, damaged hair and wear weaves

As a black female with long, healthy hair, this has always been a sterotype I have experienced. People always run their fingers through my hair and ask "Is it real?" or "I like your weave. Where did you get it?". It gets old, not all black girls have fake hair, or if it is real, not all of us have damaged, broken-off hair. Some of us take care of our hair so it is healthy. And if a women wears a weave, who cares? Maybe she wants to protect her real hair, or she wants to change up her style. Remember, we are not the only race of women who wears weaves. Other races will wear weaves too sometimes.

2. We are always angry

We are commonly accused of being angry with our faces contorted into a scowl or frown. When was the last time you asked us, "why"? Most of the time we are just a little frustrated or irritated with something, you don't have to be afraid. I'm very sorry if I rejected your "hello". Most of the time, we are just dissappointed or tired. It isn't you. We all feel that way at times, including black girls. The next time you see one of us frowning, just give us a gentle nudge on the shoulder and remind us that we are not alone. Sometimes, this what we need to get us through the day.

3. We all have bad attitudes

Another common sterotype is that we are all sassy and we are all "ghetto", getting into fights and causing chaos. This sterotype effects black people as a whole. We are all not this aggressive preception that so many have come to accept. Most of the time, these people were not raised correctly. Most of these "hood rats" come from broken homes where one parent was missing. Due to this, some of us just don't know how to act, and they end up reeking havoc at school, or in their neighborhoods. But this just doesn't happen to black girls, all races can have the potential of not acting "classy", and they all can have bad attitudes and no manners.

4. We all have "daddy issues"

Statistically, it is no secret that the Black community has had generations of fatherless homes. Well, I was lucky to have grown up with a father figure in my life, and many of us are. Also, there are some who weren't so lucky, and were plagued with the struggle of not having a father. This is an issue with all races, not just black people What is this doing to them in regards to their self-esteem, views on masculinity and relationships? Or are females the only ones being affected?

5. We all have high standards

Another common misconception is that are standards run high when choosing a partner. Well I, and many other black girls aren't like that at all. I would be happy with someone who accepts me for who I am. They don't have to treat me like a princess. They just need to treat me like...me.

7. We are all promiscious and "man crazy"

"These hoes ain't loyal". Ever heard that before? The media paints this picture that black women are all running around trying to find a good black man and men to have one-night stands with. Apparently, this is all we have to live for, right? Who knew? I guess running around trying to maintain our grades, getting degress, and trying to make a living isn't a enough.

8. We are all stupid

Not all of us are dropping out of school because our "baby daddy" got us pregnant. Many of us are successful, earning degrees and persuing careers. The statistics may not always be in our favor, but many of us are intellegent, hard-working women.

9. We are all overweight and out of shape

This isn't a common one, as there are many black women who are in great shape. Just look at Beyonce, or Halle Berry. They, and many others are toned and are in excellent shape.

10. We are sexually inhibited

This sterotype effects not just us, but our Latina, Caucasian, and Asian counterparts, too.The media paints us all as hypersexual, when this is not the case at all. Most of us aren' hypersexual at all, and if we were, what's wrong with that? Also, think about this, if the most popular images of you were of booty shakers, ghetto queens and slaves, wouldn’t you be a little more protective of your body and what you do with it?

***

I hope that we don't go off of stererotypes in the future, because they don't define a race, ethincity or culture as a hole. Stereotypes, while they can be true for some, should not be used as a fact, because they aren't. They can be proven wrong with people who do not match up to them. Anyway, I hope that this was insightful, and my fellow black females, keep doing you.

[StickStickity13]

I've never understood the angry black woman stereotype, most the ones I met are really nice. I'd say they're similar to other women in terms of politeness

[RainbowFanGirl]

Me either. I'm pretty chill.

[CHARismatic110]

Good Take girl! Just keep proving them wrong!

[RainbowFanGirl]

Haha, I will. ;)

[frankeubanks]

I will try to comment on each of your nine points. (There is no #6) #1: The only black women hair complaint I've ever heard is the hair being too short. To me, black women can look delicious to me with short hair, e. g., Maryland 4th District U. S. Representative Donna F. Edwards looks excellent to me with her short hair. By the way, I looked at your picture of the big red haired lady with lust to kiss her luscious looking lips. #2: (By the way, I only read the comments down to "vishna" and right above "vishna" was "I_am_repulsive" which is a name that fits me to a T.) Black women of all ages get angry at me left and right. I may not learn why women my age get angry at me on this website, but I hope to get a better understanding of black women by reading the opinions of black women on the website. Although I may be too old, I still want to become a first time husband, and I want to learn how a black man can learn to get along with a black woman good enough to be blessed with the gift of a black wife. I am angry that I am a life-long virgin who is apparently unfit to be a husband and father. I pray that Jesus Christ will, unless it is against God’s will, help me become marriage material. #3: Black women's attitudes toward me are I am not good enough for them; and to get out of their faces. #4: I never heard that one, but I was raised by a divorced mother who never remarried; she divorced when I was 37 months old, and I do not remember my father living with my mother. #5: Black church women (I want a church lady for a wife.) want a man who is big, strong, protective, who can spiritually lead them, love them in an understanding way, AND SHOW THEM THE MONEY! I do not meet those requirements. #7: You misspelt promiscuous. I never met a black lady who was sexually promiscuous to me. I never met a black lady who was "man crazy" to me. Only one black lady ever approached me as a prostitute for hire, and she offered me fellatio for hire which is something that I have absolutely no interest in. #8: I never heard that one. I have been a stupid black man. #9: Most black church women my age are over fat and are in poor shape. I am 5’8” tall, 150 lbs., bench about 115 lbs., run a mile in about 10 minutes. #10: 100% of black church women does not believe in sex outside of marriage.

[RainbowFanGirl]

I know there isn't a 6. I numbered incorrectly. :P and I know about the typos, I can't correct them which is stupid. Thanks for the input.

[DivaMonae]

I just want to applaud you for this... There is absoutlely nothing that you have listed that I haven't had to constantly deal with or that has been stated about another black girl.

1. Most people don't ask me if my hair is real or if it's weave though it has happened a few times. However the question that does constantly come up is You've gotta be nixed. What are you mixed with. Like dang a black girl can't have healthy/long hair

2. People don't really say I'm always angry but as for the attitude it is soon annoying. They make that stereotype about us not to mention people can't tell the fine line between when I'm joking playful or if I'm angry. by the way me being angry is much worse. Lol

3. Daddy issues... That has to be one of the most annoying ones. That all of our dads are dead beats. My dad is very much so apart of my life, loves me to death and is a good father.

4. Me? Have "high standards"... I wish. I'm a pretty non judgementa person and I'll give just about anyone a chance. That includes guys that don't look like they're the richest or their appearance seems to fall under a stereotype.

5. I don't even think promiscuous runs in my vocabulary. I'm the goodie to shoes that does no wrong and still a virgin because I'm far too chicken.

6. I'm not even going to waist my time on stupid. I've out smaeted pleanty of people that try to insult my race, age, intelegence, or just me in general.

7. Do I look like I'm out of shape? I'm sorry I'm not a size 2 but that doesn't mean I'm unhealthy.

8. Sexually inhibited... This one might be true about me. Just joking I can do that stuff but again I become a wallflower and respect myself too much.

Just out of curiosity... What happened to #6

But anyways great MyTake.

[RainbowFanGirl]

When they promoted my take, they took it out for some reason. :P I wish I could edit it or something. Anyways thanks for reading.

[RainbowFanGirl]

There's actually 9 points but I have no clue what happened here.

[Yc2K15]

You do realise that most of these things contradict each other. I don't live in america, so Its all news to me. America is so messed up. I hate the term "african american" because regular americans aren't called English , frence, Spanish, Irish, jewish, indian or Asian Americans and so on.
This sounds stupid. but hear me out...

Australia, the land of "convicts" (most convicts were convicted of petty crimes such as stealing shoes for their children to be allowed to go to school.)
America. The Country who enslaved generations of people from africa and treat them as if they are criminals based on their skin colour STILL to this day...(Remember that africa was not the only country who were enslaved by the British)

My idea is to move ALL Black Americans to Australia, and all the racist Aussies to america, with all the other stupid racist assholes and we can live happily ever after... And no the gun laws won't change here in oz. Then when all the assholes are together in America, we can blow them up! Im sure the rest of the world would be happy with my idea lol

[Yc2K15]

I would love to hear your version of stereotypes of a white woman... Dan that would be interesting... because no matter what it is a generalisation that is going to be take from music videos or television.

[Homebakedcookies]

I'm gonna make som short points here.
1. Africa is not a country.

2. African populations inhabit a lot of the former colonial paradise islands and have their freedom, yet they're still miserable.

3. Africans treat Africans as criminals.

4. Arabs sold Africans as slaves to European traders.

5. Powerful capitalist private companies ruled Britain and much of Europe during the colonial era. The key people behind those companies for example the East India Company even had their own private armies. They are the ones who truly colonized the world. European nations later took the blame for their crimes and the same pattern is repeated until this day. Private companies destroy. Nations take the blame.

[Yc2K15]

@Homebakedcookies
1. sorry I meant continent where people were enslaved.
2. If i were to speak into depth as you have, I would of had to answer a lot of questions by stupid people.
3. Humans treat humans as criminals.
4. Arabs also sole spices.
5. The Irish slave trade began when James 2nd sold 30,000 Irish prisoners as slaves to the New World. His Proclamation of 1625 required Irish political prisoners be sent overseas and sold to English settlers in the West Indies. By the mid 1600s, the Irish were the main slaves sold to Antigua and Montserrat. At that time, 70% of the total population of Montserrat were Irish slaves.

African americans were later discovered and forced to breed with the Irish to create a "mulata" translating to half black half white. As a programme to create "hybrid" slaves... A Daquiri was created in the 1920-30's Called the mulata, which is Dark rum, with creme de cacao (white chocolate liquor) Called the "mulata"
Just thought Id be irrelevant too :)

[BigJake]

Ah, fuck off with your myopic sense of self-righteousness. Australia has PLENTY of racism. I believe a former prime minister of your nation opined about Asian immigrants, "Two Wongs don't make a white." Asian discrimination lingers on as strong as ever, and we won't even talk about the bigotry hurled at aborigines. So take your misplaced outrage and go fix your own racial problems before you go wagging fingers at any other country's racial issues.

[Yc2K15]

@BigJake Are you completely retorted or what? You obviously didn't read what I said.
I said take all the racist Aussies and move them to america... Shut up dickhead, go eat some canned cheese and dorito's

[Yc2K15]

also @BigJake The prime minister said that when the japanese invaded darwin. you are a fuckhead!

[nosweat2012]

I live in the UK and unfortunately a lot of people have these stupid views of black girls. However I have noticed some traits that the majority of black girls share, however these are all positive:

1) They are as choosey with men as most other girls, but if they DO meet a guy they like, they are much more open to getting to know him (rather than playing ridiculously hard to get and ultimately putting the guy off like a lot of girls do) and will often be confident enough to initiate a conversation if the guy doesn't himself

2) They are very intelligent, both academically and street wise. Most black girls I've known (and I've known a lot) are very serious about their futures and are always striving to perform well. They are also very aware of their surroundings, and never come across as easy targets.

3) Most black girls I know take very good care of their appearances and seem to make that extra bit more effort to look good.

So yeah only positives.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Glad you liked it. :)

[Slimart]

you can't move on until you directly address the situation and this is regarding to any minority , and there's white people who hate white people as well...
we have to address racism not as a black thing but as an human race thing... and all we have been doing is saying move on, or blow up but the issue never gets resolved
it's like being in a bad relationship, you break up constantly but you always go back to them.. and when you think the issue isn't over and your just pushing it into the background and you're still hurting and all your friends are just like "get over it" "move on"...

[RainbowFanGirl]

That is true.

[Vincisomething]

It's like someone punched you in the face and your friends don't even help you out. Instead they say, "oh, stop being a little bitch! Just move on!" You're sitting there with a bloody and broken nose and they're wondering why you're flipping them off.

[RedBullCan2]

I am a white, Australian girl.
I have hair extensions that I wear sometimes.
I am usually angry.
I do have a sour attitude.
I have daddy issues.
I have high standards. But not ridiculous ones.
Most of these stereotypes apply to my white ass anyway haha

[RainbowFanGirl]

Lol, yes.

[Jxx1981]

Hi I'm from a part of scotland where there is very few black people, so these stereotypes mean nothing to me.. As a white person my hair is terrible it's frizzy and my niece is even worse she has affro like hair so that debunks your first that it's just not black women, as for the overweight part there is one black female roughly my age and she is slim and very goodlooking and popular in fact no one cares she is black , nothing angry or bad about her..
I guess if I was in a more mixed neighbourhood Id have heard of these claims. :( it's so sad people judge others just by the colour of their skin

[MichelleJustAsking]

Great article! But I think for anyone trying to combat cultural stereotypes, you have to understand something:

Stereotypes exist because of commonalities found within a particular culture. The only way to wipe out the stereotypes isn't to just inform the public, but also to HOLD YOUR OWN PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE for their problematic behavior.

You can educate the public all you want, but when the stereotypes are alive and real, people will focus on those.

When the majority of the nation complains about black people, they aren't talking about wonderful people like Oprah, Denzel Washington, etc... They are referring to the people in Baltimore who are trashing their own city. There is black, and then there is BLACK. Just like with whites having white trash, the black community has it's black trash. Neither of these ways of life are good for society, and we need to hold those people accountable for their actions and behavior.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yes, there are people who conform to the stereotypes. I'm glad you enjoyed my article. :)

[CityBoy773]

Ugh you're spot on. I get so much shit its ridiculous. Like I like a white girl and people always try joking saying, "Of course, she like the black d" -_-. people, grow up. Or the fact that I'm black and don't like chicken and grape kool-aid (something ALL black people should like, *initiate eye roll*), I'm apparently a walking contradiction. It's bs how my race is treated as a whole just cause of a few bad apples. I honestly take way more pride than I should in proving people wrong, but its sad. Can't I be black and left alone to do as I so please?

[RainbowFanGirl]

Exactly which is why I was compelled to write this. Glad you liked it.

[CasaNorba]

good article sis!

i agree with everything here. but #9 really caught my attention. i mean yea growing up watching rap video since the age of four i myself was forced to see most black women as hypersexual broads. not saying that i have a problem with this but the majority of the time its practically their fault in a way as most women who take part in these activities are doing it voluntarily

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yay, I'm glad you liked it. :)

[Bellibooo]

I think steteotypes appear (ed) for a reason, because people of a special group, no matter what group, shows it a lot. That doesn't mean it is alright though, and that one should use it as an excuse to not getting to know a person because "we all know what he/she is like anyway".
But to be honest, I have never seen a black woman and thought that she is the way you describe unless she shows me she is in front of my face or something. I don't get why we always have to judge each other just based on looks, it's ridiculous.

[RainbowFanGirl]

I'm glad.

[caramelcutieinla]

Funny bc I've never met a black woman who didn't match stereotypes in one way or the other you mentioned. In LA at least I have yet to meet a black woman who isn't loud to get her way, aggressive, hateful towards any race but black, a bad tipper and pulls the race card any time she doesn't get her way in shops, restaurants, etc. Seriously the truth hurts but even the black girls from the Palisades say "nigga gurl" and act ghetto though they have more money than most chicas or whites could dream of. Too many double standards are the reasons the media continues stereotypes and if you say im lyin' well sweetie you need to get real.

[vishna]

If she's the counterexample and you're 1) relying on stereotypes and 2) haven't met every black woman in the world, you need to get real.

[HuckyHucky]

You're in flipping LA. That's one state out of alllll the states in the U. S. Yet you think that somehow the people you have encountered in that one state represents the people of an entire race as a whole.

[caramelcutieinla]

Who said she's the counterexample? Do you know her personally? Have you met every chicana or white woman in the world? Hell no but do you still complain about immigration and slavery constantly? Yes, yes you do. It goes both ways

[SisterSister]

It's sad that that's your experience. I don't doubt you though, I've witnessed all these stereotypes and more with my own eyes as well. I wish that weren't all you seem to find.

Well, here's to you meeting some decent ones.

[caramelcutieinla]

@Hucky yes I'm in effing LA and there's a lot of diversity here, yet I come across too many people who call me wetback then cry racism constantly against others. But guess what? The media never shows that, just blacks crying about whites. I've never had a white person hate on me as hard as any black I've met. Fact. Most dont want a job but complain that I, a US citizen "stole" it from you. Lo que sea fea.

[vishna]

You literally know nothing about me, including my views on immigration. And it's crazy, I don't know how I did it, but I went the whole day without complaining about slavery.
I have no problem with latina women or white women, being ethnically half of the latter.
You know nothing about me or all black women, so stop lumping every black woman together and thinking you know everything about people you don't.
@caramelcutienla

[caramelcutieinla]

Awe it's kind of hard to argue with truth isn't it? Muuuch easier to just downvote. Point proven

[caramelcutieinla]

@vishna congrats to you for being the only black in America to go a day without mentioning slavery, though I'm sure you're just trying to prove your point. The same could be said to you and the OP for lumping EVERYONE "else" into the "Why does everyone have to stereotype us poor innocent black girls" category. Trust me, we know you have it bad blah blah blah. You would have to have a high school education to understand what a double standard is, I guess.

[vishna]

I don't think all latinas are bad :) Some of my best friends are wonderful kind latina women (who don't perpetuate stereotypes). I don't think everyone who is not black perpetuates stereotypes about black people. And I have more than a high school education, but again you know nothing about me.
And if you believe every black person thinks about slavery every day then you probably have a head injury or something, so I'm not going to stress you with having to read and think. Ok. :)

[MysteriousChick93]

That's america sweetie not uk or the world

[RainbowFanGirl]

Well sorry. I was only going off of personal experience. Thanks for the input however.

[Firekitty91]

Man, I liked this Take. Funny, I never fell into any of these stereotypes. In fact, I was actually labeled an 'oreo' by other black people because they thought I didn't act black. Sometimes black people facilitate these stereotypes, especially through media.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Glad you enjoyed. :)

[NotTheFBI]

Blame Hollywood and the Music Industry for 90% of this bullshit. And now a lot of young black women are falling for it. Media has a strong role to play on society it's just we don't want to admit it most of the time. The music you listen to and the shows you watch strongly influence who you are.

But it isn't just Black Women, the Crap... um... I mean the 'Rap' music today makes you wonder WTF is going through these 'Artistes' minds when they put pen to paper. Granted a decent amount of music with MEANING still comes out but damn there is a typhoon of shit that spews out of the Music Industry it seriously makes me wonder.

[RainbowFanGirl]

That's true. Blame the media.

[SweetCaroline17]

The only stereotypes I actually enjoy are when women or girls are PMS-ing. I like the jokes people crack about it because it makes me feel like I'm not alone. My best friend as a child was a black Jahova's Witness (sorry if I spelled that wrong) so he didn't celebrate any holidays ( which was totally fine with me). So I have heard of all of these examples and have run into a lot of people who are just like this, but I have also met many black women who are just like me. Stereotypes are called stereotypes for a reason. And I am aware that everyone is different.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yep. That's true.

[Midnightbreeze]

These kind of takes make me sick. Girl if they don't want you just stay away from them period. You can't change their perception twas inherited. Be where you are celebrated than where you are tolerated. Better still you can come to Africa since almost everyone is black no one cares what your colour is.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Make you sick? Then please don't read it. They don't want me? I have a boyfriend who thinks I'm banging. You want me to delete it? Unfortunately GaG doesn't have that option.

[Hannah591]

@RainbowFanGirl You're taking this comment waaaayy too personally.

[RainbowFanGirl]

@Hannah591 Sorry, I was at school be stressed out about stuff.

Sorry opinion owner. unu

[Midnightbreeze]

Think you're banging in what sense?

[RainbowFanGirl]

I said sorry. Just drop it please.

[DivineAliah]

I get the hair thing ALL THE TIME because my hair is just as long as any other non African American female in the world. I get labeled all the time. Like the other day a caucasian guy came to my job and said, "Hey! Ya know for a black girl... you're really hot!" Wtf is that suppose to mean? "For a black girl..."? Df 💁😕😒👊

[RainbowFanGirl]

I know right? Exactly why I wrote this. Anyways thanks for reading. c:

[Goldie757]

I always cringe when I hear "for a black girl.."

[DivineAliah]

Yesss! That's makes me wanna grind my teeth to dust! Its so irritating and so stupid to say that.

[opugh93]

that's the worst one! I hate getting that too :( there are a lot of black babes out there

[Anonymous]

Omg, yes. I'm a black teenager as well and I have herd all of these stereotypes😒. So sick of them. Like I'm going natural (hair) and my hair is healthy and a nice length, but people tend to say "I like you're weave" or watever and I agree it is getting tired... really tired. They usually know it's not fake or anything they're just joking around but honestly...😐. But I don't know maybe it's where we live, like someone else said. Where I live (North Carolina) a lot of black girls tend to get pregnant, have weave, and or don't have a present father, so people love to say these things. I'm 15 and I personally get all A's, don't where weave, am not pregnant, and I have a present father in my life, so it's not always like this. Lol. Where do you live?

[RainbowFanGirl]

I live in PA, and I'm glad you liked it.

[Opinion Owner]

Oh yea, definitely, really well put👌🏾(black hands for good measure)😂.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yay. :D

[Princess_Rue]

I believe one of the biggest stereotypes I hear often about black women (and really black people in general) is that they speak in ebonics. This actually is a stereotype enforced by a lot in their communities as well. I've had a lot of black friends say their peers will ask them "why don't you talk black?" or "you sound white". They say it really hurts them.

[RainbowFanGirl]

I was going to mention that but I didn't know how to word it.

[rAiNbOwTeRdZ]

I'm white and I've always hated the fact about how white people treat black people. I've always hated slavery. I've always hated how white police officers treated black citizens. I've always hated how white people LISTEN to stereotypes like these. I have probably been racist one or twice, so on that I am sorry. I am also very, very sorry on how my race treats your race. For all the white officers who have ever shot an unarmed black man or woman, karma will get you.

[RainbowFanGirl]

Haha, thanks.

[rAiNbOwTeRdZ]

No problem & your myTake was very nicely written =)