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University of the Pacific

A critical analysis and comparison of historical and emerging stereotypes of African American females on television

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Although diversity on television has ebbed and flowed in recent years, many new shows have recently emerged that feature either predominantly black female casts, or that feature a black female in the lead role. Reality television often sends forth angry, physical images of African American women, while non-reality television tends to express alleged relationship and sexual values of African American females that are uncomfortable for many. Not everyone embraces these images. What are modern television images saying about African American women? Using the lens of critical race theory to view images of African American women aired on highly rated reality and non-reality television shows, this study examines and compares emerging negative stereotypes of African American women, and explores and identifies what historical negative stereotypes of black females continue to be perpetuated today via the small screen. Furthermore, in order to fill a gap in the current available research, this analysis also considers and exemplifies the frequency and definition of positive representations of African American women on reality and non-reality television.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
International Studies
Year dc:date.available
2015

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Fritsche, Kelli An
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Kent Warren

Subjects

dc:subject × 12

Rights

dc:rights

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
9781321698398
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarlycommons.pacific.edu:uop_etds-1242

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of the Pacific
Base URL
scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Fritsche, Kelli An. A critical analysis and comparison of historical and emerging stereotypes of African American females on television. Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted thesis, 2015. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/243