This research utilizes an Afrocentric, mixed method content analysis to examine the depiction of gender ideology and Black relationships in 21st century Black female lead television dramas. In doing so, this research will determine the prevalence of what this author theorizes as feminist propaganda. All institutions, including media, reflect the cultural orientation of the dominant culture, which in the United States is European. This important factor, coupled with various propaganda techniques, defines how the popularity of feminism has increased exponentially on television, specifically in televised dramas starring Black women. Feminism, at its root, is ideologically antithetical to African culture due to its Euro-western cultural underpinnings, anti-Blackness, and imperialistic behavior. With this understanding, the utilization of the discipline of Africology will emphasize and highlight the significance of culture in defining the nature of gender ideology on television. The author will provide an Afrocentric analysis of these cultural distinctions, questioning whether it is in the best interests of Black women, and humanity in general, to maintain white supremacist beliefs and values under the auspices of feminist propaganda. Utilizing Marquita Gammage’s Africana Womanist methodology, as constructed from Clenora Hudson-Weems’s theory of Africana Womanism, and functionalizing Valethia Watkins’ theory of compulsory feminism, this research interrogates the Eurocentric ideology perpetuated in Black female-lead television shows from an africological perspective. Research questions that will be explored in this study are: a) what is feminist propaganda and is it observable in Black female lead television shows? b) Are the relationships between Black women and men in Black female lead television shows overwhelmingly negative based on Afrocentric values and beliefs? and c) Are the platonic relationships of Black female leads in Black female lead television shows primarily non-African? While recent day Hollywood initiatives have claimed to push diverse representation in media, the increased portrayal of feminism on television still reflects the monopoly feminism has over preferred Western gender ideology. This research opens a dialogue for more culturally centered representations of gender ideology and interrogations of the portrayal of Black relationships in media. / African American Studies
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TEMPLE/oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/8539 |
Date | January 2023 |
Creators | Aboderin, Olutoyosi |
Contributors | Dove, Nah, Asante, Molefi Kete, 1942-, Dove, Nah, Asante, Molefi Kete, 1942-, Nehusi, Kimani S. K., Gammage, Marquita Marie, 1983- |
Publisher | Temple University. Libraries |
Source Sets | Temple University |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Thesis/Dissertation, Text |
Format | 345 pages |
Rights | IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
Relation | http://dx.doi.org/10.34944/dspace/8503, Theses and Dissertations |
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