Disciplines
African American Studies | American Literature | American Popular Culture | Other Film and Media Studies
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Abstract
This research explores the history of the token Black friend trope in American media and how these misrepresentations continue to influence popular culture and negatively impact Black Americans. Historically, the token Black friend stereotype singles out Black characters to fill gaps in the plot through comedy, intelligence, or self-sacrifice, all while being excluded from the white protagonist’s larger narrative. The prevalence of this trope is apparent through several contemporary and classic examples, which are used to evaluate the effects of the token Black friend trope on American culture. To deconstruct these misrepresentations, this essay supplements these examples with scholarship from academic journals and medical studies to survey the psychological impacts racist media has on Black Americas and how social interactions, both online and in-person, are influenced by this perpetuated stereotype. In addition to these sources that discuss the consequences of these tropes, this project also details solutions that audiences can implement in their everyday media consumption to heal from and combat the prejudice present in American stories. The conclusions from this research inform viewers on the influence of problematic tropes while also asserting that the awareness and criticisms of these tropes directly counteract stereotypes in American media and its influence on the public.
Keywords: American media, token Black friend trope, stereotypes, identities, race, intersectionality, media representation, misrepresentation, evolution of stereotypes, racial binary, literary history, social impact
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS – English
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Kurt Milberger
Included in
African American Studies Commons, American Literature Commons, American Popular Culture Commons, Other Film and Media Studies Commons
The Evolution and Impact of the Token Black Friend Trope in American Media
Abstract
This research explores the history of the token Black friend trope in American media and how these misrepresentations continue to influence popular culture and negatively impact Black Americans. Historically, the token Black friend stereotype singles out Black characters to fill gaps in the plot through comedy, intelligence, or self-sacrifice, all while being excluded from the white protagonist’s larger narrative. The prevalence of this trope is apparent through several contemporary and classic examples, which are used to evaluate the effects of the token Black friend trope on American culture. To deconstruct these misrepresentations, this essay supplements these examples with scholarship from academic journals and medical studies to survey the psychological impacts racist media has on Black Americas and how social interactions, both online and in-person, are influenced by this perpetuated stereotype. In addition to these sources that discuss the consequences of these tropes, this project also details solutions that audiences can implement in their everyday media consumption to heal from and combat the prejudice present in American stories. The conclusions from this research inform viewers on the influence of problematic tropes while also asserting that the awareness and criticisms of these tropes directly counteract stereotypes in American media and its influence on the public.
Keywords: American media, token Black friend trope, stereotypes, identities, race, intersectionality, media representation, misrepresentation, evolution of stereotypes, racial binary, literary history, social impact