Are Negative Stereotypes About African Americans Fact or Fiction?

We've all heard a variety of offensive racial and cultural stereotypes that have endured for ages. you know what I mean: Blondes are dumb; Asians are geniuses; Native Americans love to gamble; and Latinos are mostly illegal immigrants. Let's not forget one of the more famous stereotype that white men can't jump. Some of these supposed "truths" focus on people in the African American community, but every group has a share. Lee Standberry shared his picks for the Top Ten Racial Stereotypes in his 2010 TopTenz article.

The thing that I find interesting is that many Black folks have embraced these pronouncements and seem to believe them to be true. From my earliest days, I heard people say that coffee makes you black(er). I accepted the "fact" that white folks "can't dance", that black people "have rhythm" and are more naturally athletic. Although many blacks accept the "fact" that our people were better at sports, many whites were sure it was a "fact" that blacks weren't intelligent enough to play in the NFL quarterback's position. Tell that to Super Bowl Bound Russell Wilson, Quarterback Seattle Seahawks. You might find Jon Entine's book "Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We Are Afraid to Talk About It" interesting.

It is popular to believe that Black men are more "well-endowed" than men of other races. What comes with that image is one of being bestial, animalistic and hypersexual.  Black women were "accepted" as sexual beings, promiscuous and insatiable compared to her pure, chaste discriminating white counterparts who don't enjoy sex at all. These stereotypes contribute to the saying "once you go black, you never go back".  It's hard to believe that many blacks accept the lazy, sleepy, "Stepin Fetchit" image craved out by ages of racist, historical rhetoric that permeates our society. You have to  plug in this caveat for those who accept this "fact', that other people are lazy and shiftless, but not "me".

Classic movies have highlighted stereotypes in a lighter vein in offerings like "Airplane" and "Blazing Saddles". There are a variety of Black exploitation during the '60s and early '70s that are built on black stereotypes. However, the real "facts", supported by scientific research and verifiable data, shows us that most of these stereotypes are more fiction than fact. Race is much less a factor than environment and ethnicity. For example, the natural rhythm thing is more of a learned skill than a genetic-based trait. Environment with early access to dance and music impacts an individuals chances of doing better.  While Blacks seem to dominate some sports, other ethnic groups excel in others. In July, 2011, Dr. Tyeese Gaines article in the Grio addressed many of these stereotypes sharing a variety of studies and scientific data that negate the race based theories.

The bottom line tells us that we can't take the traits of a few and generalize them to an entire group. Also, you can't pick and choose among different stereotypes, embracing the ones that you feel are complimentary and discarding those that denigrate. Think before you speak and weigh your words and thoughts carefully before coming to a reasonable conclusion. It may not all be in the genes.

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Black Quarterbacks: Mind Over Matter in the NFL

On August 28, 2013, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and focused on the progress African Americans have made since the 1960s. Nearly 50 years ago, in 1967, there were no African-Americans at the quarterback position in the NFL. Despite years of racial bias and segregation which prevented African Americans from leading teams on the football field, times changed. Last season, five African Americans started as quarterbacks. 

On September 5, 2013, The Grio’s Todd Johnson brought to our attention that nine African-Americans were scheduled to start at the position of quarterback,  more than at any other time in NFL history. The League is asking more of quarterbacks than ever before, but these guys are up to the challenge:

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins; Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks; Terrelle Pryor, Oakland Raiders; Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers; EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills; Geno Smith, New York Jets;

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles; Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers; Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 Doug Williams told NFL.com‘s Steve Wyche last year that attitudes surrounding African-Americans playing quarterback in the NFL has changed “tremendously” compared to his time in the league.

In 1988, Williams became the first African-American to start as quarterback in the Super Bowl. He also became the first to win one, leading the Washington Redskins over the Denver Broncos and earning Super Bowl MVP honors.

As you listen to sportscasters, you'll see that Black quarterbacks are most often praised for their athletic abilities or physical gifts rather than for their brains, accuracy, efficiency or leadership abilities. Stefen Lovelace wrote an interesting opinion piece for the Grio on how Black quarterbacks are changing preceptions in the NFL.

It's an uphill battle to win a spot on any NFL team, but particularly difficult to capture the QB position. It goes without saying that you need special abilities to not only win, but also maintain every spot, but particularly that of the highly visible quarterback.

As of January 5, there are eight teams fighting for a spot on the field for Super Bowl XLVIII: AFC-Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and San Deigo Chargers ; NFC- Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco Forty Niners, and New Orleans Saints. The plot thickens and the fans are fully vested in the outcomes. Good luck to the remaining teams.

Update:
Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco Forty Niners advanced in their leagues and will play in the final round to determine which teams will face off in Super Bowl XLVIII.
 

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Food Network Southern Cooking: Life After Paula Deen

If you watched the implosion of “celebrity chef” Paula Deen, you probably wondered how things could go so terribly wrong in such a short time. It’s interesting to see Paula claw her way back into the limelight and attempt to recapture the adoration of her many loyal fans. Watch Paula play a minor role on Not My Moma’s Meals, her son Bobby’s show on the Cooking Channel.  She also appears from time to time on son Jamie Deen’s Food Network show Home for Dinner. As she seeks to overcome her troubles and rebuild her brand, she has several new ventures underway.

Have you noticed how the Food Network has handled its harsh dismissal of Paula Deen with a number of new shows and personalities challenged to fill the southern, home cooking gap?

Let's start with The Pioneer Woman  starring Ree Drummond. It's life on the ranch with Ree, her husband Ladd whom she calls the Marlboro Man, their four spirited children and a couple of dogs. The Pioneer Woman introduces herself as a writer, blogger, photographer and accidental country girl. Her award-winning blog, the Pioneer Woman.com, attracts more than 20 million page views per month. Her cook books include "The Pioneer Woman", "Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl", " Food From My Frontier" and "A Year of Holidays". Her cookbooks have ranked #1 on both the Wall Street Journals and New York Times Bestseller lists. Her hard cover introduction to the family's basset hound titled "Charlie the Ranch Dog gained a 5 star rating on Amazon.com and launched a number of other books including "Charlie Goes to School, "Charlie and the New Baby", "Charlie's Snow Day", and Charlie and the Christmas Kitty".

 

Fans say Ree blooms while she cooks and brings a bright spirit to the world of cooking. but, some caution that her cooking isn't for everyone citing the heavy use of butter, oil and red meat (which sounds familiar). Viewers say they enjoy the ranch, the down home atmosphere and learning about Ree's family and friends. These are many of the same elements that made Paula Deen's shows so successful.

Trisha Yearwood is another new Food Network star focused on southern cooking. Most folks know Trish as a three time Grammy award winning country music super star and wife of Garth Brooks, but many aren't aware that she knows her way around the kitchen. Her show "Southern Kitchen" is in its fourth season on the Food Network. With the tradition of southern hospitality setting the atmosphere, Patricia Lynn "Trisha" Yearwood shares her family's recipes and  her life with family, friends, old bandmates and others at her home.

In addition to her 19 top ten singles, Trish reached the New York Times bestseller lists with her cookbooks "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen" in 2008 and "Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood" in 2010.

One of the newest entry of Food Network home cooking shows is "Farmhouse Rules" introducing mother of six and grandma of 13 show host Nancy Fuller. The show departs from the "southern strategy "and picks up a folksy warm grandma type who brings local goods from Hudson Valley of upstate New York to the comfort foods she features. Nancy Fuller is a business woman who owns Ginsberg's Foods, a successful, multimillion dollar enterprise with her husband. The show emphasizes farm fresh classic meals, i.e. Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad, hearty Butternut Squash Soup, and Lamb Stew with Sherry and Mushrooms.

 

Another new show, "Southern at Heart" provides an excellent platform for Damaris Phillips, winner of The Next Food Network Star, Season Nine. Damaris is both a matchmaker and chef, teaching those who are unskilled in the kitchen how to prepare an impressive meal for their dinner date. Not bad for a culinary instructor from Louisville, Ky.  who describes herself as a "Southern Spitfire". Expect a fresh take on southern cuisine with recipes like Roasted Chicken with Bourbon Pear Butter Glaze, Pumpkin Scones with Maple-Cinnamon Glaze, and Quiche with Country Ham.

The lineup at The Food Network continues the magic formula, food, family, friends, and fun adventures. Whether it's Paula, Bobby and Jamie Deen or Ree Drummond and the Marlboro Man, the audience loves a focus on family meals and entertaining friends. That should keep the Network thriving with lots of talent and new personalities readily available to supplement the tried and true show hosts. Let's keep rattling those pots and pans!

 

 

 

 

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