STREOTYPES AND MYTHS ABOUT RACIALISED WOMEN

Today, in our context, Orientalism in simple terms may be used to refer to the false beliefs and prejudices that characterize the representation or portrayal of non-western cultures or ways of life. The aim of the above topic is not only to delineate some current myths and stereotypes but also to resist the yoke of Orientalism with regards to racialised women in least developed parts of the globe, such as the African continent. Orientalism in post colonial Africa manifests itself in the form of deep-seated myths and stereotypes which continue to emphasize the primitive and uncivilized nature of its people and their cultural practices. For this reason, I seek here to provide some insights into how orientalism affects people of color with specific reference to Africa where I hail from. Having learnt in class about Orientalist discourses focusing mainly on people of the Middle East, I came to realize that the term Orientalism, now, no longer exclusively Middle Eastern, can be applied in different regions of the world. As people of color, we are given the notion and perception that the representaion of our race in orientalist perspectives should not to be called Orientalism but rather normalized racial stereotyping. Below, I endeavor to provide a balanced and distinct presentation of what and how orientalism affects women of color in different regions of mainland Africa. .
These images show some of the reasons why so many people internalize myths and stereotypes targeting women of African origin. Here the one sided perspective of backwardness portrayed in these pictures create unrealistic images and stereotypes that linger and influence people’s view of them. .

These Eastern African women are described as semi-nomadic pastoralists whose life-style and culture are depicted in this picture as primitive and uncouth. There is no sign of modernity, far from the from any form of western civilization and sophistication.

Is this a typical East African way of life or is it just a small minority of the population that lives like this?

What is the role of their government in assisting them to live modern lives,

in providing them with basic social services such as health, education etc.

in preparing their future generations to take up their role in the development effort of their country as part of the human resource base of their country?

How is it that their culture is intact ? untouched by outside influence such as colonialism and imperialism? How did they manage to survive throughout , up to now? .

A typical representation of a West African girl-child, tightly held down, in agony, eyes forcibly closed by an elder, as she goes through the process of female genital mutilation (FGM). This illustrates a barbaric cultural practice, believed, among other things, to render the young women more sexually appealing to her future husband. We wonder, why, inspite of the awareness and sensitization about the ill effects of FGM, most times funded and promoted by Western rights and feminists organizations, the custom still persists today? Although there is die-hard adherence to this tradition in many parts of the Continent, there are millions of those like my tribesmen who do not practice FGM.

Questions to ask include, what role does patriarchy play in perpetuating this child abuse?

A South African woman, depicted here as muted and voiceless, fettered and suppressed. It is a representation of the typical African woman who, according to custom has no decision-making power. All the decisions, including those that affect her directly are solely within the purview of her father, husband and brother. Is she waiting for the Western powers/ international organizations, with their beliefs in the principles of women’s liberation, gender equity, freedom of speech etc. to rescue her out of her predicament?

This image is a caricature of a woman of colour in the fashion world. The myth here is a color as dark as hers does not only spell gloom and melancholy, but it is also unattractive and lacks ‘colour’. This consequently calls for the use of such coruscating colours making her absurd and to some extend ludicrous.


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In the Carribbean Island of Haiti lives the Real Haitian Zombie. They are claimed to be submissive slaves who resurrected from the dead to serve witch doctors. The Zombie is a symbol, an embodiment of the bitter past experience of the African race sold as a slave, its heathen or fetish beliefs in the dead spirits and in the mystical power of witch doctors. The Zombies are deprived women who are helplessly at the mercy of their master witch doctors. This stereotypes the spiritual mentality of the traditional African society which could not totally be affected by the advent of colonialism and imperialism.

Two black women enslaved as a sign of punishment. This painting is worth large sums of money.

Painting of a black female servant and a white lady seemingly from the upper class. The white lady is given privilege and power while the woman of colour remains inferior.