As I think I think about all that I have entering this history course I realize that I was .
blind to many aspects related to Blacks. I have learned more in this course and from the .
readings that I have learned in my entire life. "Ethnic Notions" only makes those feelings .
stronger. This film only opened my eyes wider as to how things have been portrayed to me .
throughout my life. "Ethnic Notions" made me to think about all the ways Blacks have .
depicted in the entertainment industry. The film is based on what the title states, "Ethnic .
Notions" which include the Mammy, Coon, and Sambo,. .
In the entertainment industry Blacks have been depicted as people of dark skin color, .
thick full heads of hair, full lips, and large noses. One female depiction is the Mammy. The .
Mammy was fat, dark skinned, and always wore a red bandana. She was not attractive to the .
white males and was perceived as a servant who loved what she did. The male depictions .
include the Coon and Sambo. The Coon was characterized as a dumb buffoon who was .
ignorant and looked up to and wanted to be like whites. While the Sambo was portrayed as .
someone who loved the way his life was and he way blacks were enslaved. The Sambo was .
simple minded and also dumb and ignorant. .
The film also dealt with slavery and how blacks were affected by it. Blacks were .
though of as savages and could not read or write correctly. They were also though of as .
dependent of whites and unclean and violent. .
.
Blacks have and probably always will be depicted negatively in the entertainment .
business due to the fact that it is controlled by whites. "Ethnic Notions" was a very good .
film that in my opinion if many of the Black actors and filmmakers saw would change the .
roles played and way they actors act and the way directors make films. .