Black Hollywood: From Butlers to Superheroes, the Changing Role of African American Men in the Movies

This thought-provoking work examines the dehumanizing depictions of black males in the movies since 1910, analyzing images that were once imposed on black men and are now appropriated and manipulated by them.

• Discusses the social, historical, and literary evolution of African American male roles in the cinema

• Analyzes the various black images presented each decade from blackface, Sambo, and Mandingo stereotypes to archetypal figures such as God, superheroes, and the president

• Shows how African American actors, directors, and producers manipulate negative and positive images to advance their careers, profit financially, and make social statements to create change

• Demonstrates the correlation between political and social movements and their impact on the cultural transformation of African American male images on screen over the past 100 years

• Includes figures that demonstrate the correlation between political and social movements and their impact on cultural transformation and African American male images on screen