Media Stereotypes of Mixed-Race People

Gans (1999) suggested that there was a strong possibility that the multiracial hierarchy that existed at that time would morph into a bimodal structure with two primary groups: black and non-black. Gans further argued the increasingly voluntary nature of racial identification in the United States might facilitate the eventual adoption of white identity. Popular perception suggests that this has not happened.

Scholars socially define “Multi-racial identity” by the biological union of parents of different races resulting in the outcome of multiracial children (Mouzong, 2008). One stereotype associated with multiracial individuals is the belief that society accepts them more in the minority community. They should therefore identify with the parent of color (Kerwin & Ponterotto, 1995). This perspective is associated with elements of the “one drop rule,” which originated from the belief that each race had its own specific blood type and just one drop of “Negro blood” provided enough evidence to classify that person as black, regardless of their physical appearance (Valentine, 1995; Leland & Beals, 1997). The rule, which stems from slavery, was a way to ensure that the offspring of slaves and masters would remain enslaved. The ultimate goal behind the “one drop rule” was to promote segregation and discourage social interaction between blacks and whites. However, when multiracial individuals do not culturally identify with both parents, Sebring (1985) contends this may cause them to experience feelings of disloyalty and enormous guilt over their rejection of one parent for the other. Therefore, it is crucial for multiracial children to assume a multiracial identity.

Mixed-race citizens no longer have to choose black or white based the “one-drop” of “black blood” that would have previously defined them as black in the United States. Due to the cultural changes in society, the majority of young, biracial Americans racially define themselves as both or multi-racial (Spencer, 2009). Scholars say this shift is the longstanding racial dynamic people of mixed heritage have waited for. This is especially relevant today with the election of the first black president, who is of a mixed heritage. Many Americans celebrate his mixed heritage as foreshadowing America’s post-racial future.

Historically, writers and filmmakers have presented mixed-raced persons as tormented. For example, in historical portrayals, female mulattos often denied their blackness, which ended tragically (Renn, 2004). The tragic mulatto archetype is in the 1959 movie, Imitation of Life, 1959, starring Lana Turner, Sandra Dee and Juanita Moore. A struggling young actress with a six-year-old daughter sets up housekeeping with a homeless, black widow and her light-skinned eight-year-old daughter who rejects her mother by trying to pass for white. In one scene, her daughter declares, “I’m someone else. I’m white... white... WHITE!” The movie ends tragically with her repenting at her mother’s funeral, much too late to make amends for their rocky relationship.

In real life, Mariah Carey’s mixed-race heritage has presented obstacles that she has been able to overcome. According to an article in Essence magazine, “race and racial identity” have been central themes throughout her career — arguably more so than for any other artist of her generation. “I used to think that 90 percent of the reason my life was messed up was because I was mixed” (Essence, 2005). She illustrated this angst in the movie, Glitter, in which she plays Billie Frank, a shy, young, mixed-race girl whose alcoholic mother sends her away at a very early age. She becomes a famous singer, but the pressure of her fame causes too much stress and she retreats. The inadequacy theme is common in mixed-race portrayals, according to Comas-Díaz and Greene (1994).The mixed-race person may try extremely hard to be good or to be an exemplary citizen in order to combat overt or covert negative evaluations of their parents’ interracial union or their multiracial heritage. However, in the end, they often fail because they set impossible standards.

R&B singer Alicia Keys commented that having a strong sense of self helped her combat issues concerning her biracial heritage (Norment, 2010). Keys, who graduated first in her high school class, said she experienced prejudices, but never battled over which side of family she should identify with. “New York is so diverse and there are so many different types of people. People couldn’t care less what you are. They really don’t care. I’m blessed because of that” (Zumpano, Lewis & Hays, 2004).

Mass media have also depicted multiracial characters as “wild half-castes,” sexually destructive antagonists perceived as unable to control the instinctive urges of their non-white heritage. Although stereotypes of biracial people have changed, they are still pervasive. Even today, media depict mixed-race women as exotic, beautiful, highly sexual human beings. Movie executives handpick women who are the most exotic bi/multi-racial women and flaunt them as passionate, desirable and “exotic” (Butcher, 2005). This leads to the idea all mixed-race women fit this characterization.

For instance, Halle Berry often plays a beautiful damsel in various situations. In Swordfish, she portrayed an exotic, mysterious and passionate woman. The movie includes a brief topless view of her casually reading in a lounge chair. Her character is promiscuous and stubborn. Like the “tragic mulatto,” Berry’s character tries to be good, but can only seem to do harm. In the end, she brings “tragedy” to herself because she does not know her origin. The talented actress was the first African-American actress to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her starring role in the drama, Monster’s Ball (2001), in which she played Leticia, a young woman trying to make ends meet after prison guards electrocuted her husband on Death Row. Leticia begins an unexpected relationship with a racist prison guard who served at her husband’s death sentence. Throughout the movie, her character appears hopeless and ill prepared for life.

On the other hand, Cameron Diaz, another mixed race actress, has been able to transcend racial boundaries and stereotypes. Although mixed with Cuban, English, Cherokee and German ancestry, Diaz’s physical appearance identifies more with the Caucasian race. She has had great success, starring in numerous A-list movies and enjoying a loyal following. However, her roles are sexist. Diaz often plays the dumb, blonde-haired woman. She became famous after her highly popular and ditzy role in There’s Something about Mary in 1998. Forbes.com (2011) stated Diaz, who is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, can make or break a movie; however, she is still “dogged by ditzy roles.”

Suggested citation: Moody, M. (2011). Media Stereotypes of Mixed Race People. Media Studies Overview. Accessed via  http://miamedia1.blogspot.com/