Reimagining Aunt Jemima: Subverting The Mammy Stereotype Through Black Feminist Art

Abstract

This research paper examines the racist cultural stereotype of the "mammy" figure, focusing on its historical context and commercial embodiment as the Aunt Jemima icon. It begins by contrasting this stereotype with the Jezebel archetype, highlighting their roles in perpetuating racial and gender biases and the complex ways they have been used to justify societal hierarchies. The paper then explores how Black feminist artists of the 1970s and 1980s reimagined the mammy figure, focusing on Faith Ringgold's Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima? and Betye Saar's Liberation of Aunt Jemima. Through an in-depth analysis of these works, the paper demonstrates how these artists employ ambiguity to subvert and recontextualize the mammy stereotype. Ringgold utilizes ambiguity through her ironic title. Meanwhile, Saar juxtaposes comforting imagery with unsettling historical contexts, using assemblage to create ambiguity by transforming a familiar figure into one of resistance and defiance. This research situates these artistic interventions within the socio-political context of their time, particularly in relation to the Black Power Movement and the influence of the Black Panther Party. Additionally, it examines the significance of the artists' chosen mediums—Ringgold’s innovative use of quilts and Saar’s impactful assemblage techniques—as critical elements in their narratives. Ultimately, exploring how these reinterpretations engage with themes of resistance and empowerment, highlighting the power of art as a form of social commentary and a tool for challenging entrenched racial stereotypes.