Women of Color or Women of the Media?

     

 

(http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/09/12/221469077/feminism-and-race-just-who-counts-as-a-woman-of-color)

 

Ever heard of an angry black woman? A hot blooded Latina woman? Or a submissive Asian woman? In the 21st century there are many caricatures women of color continuously portray in the media. A hashtag began to brew on twitter discussing how the media writes women of color (#HowMediaWritesWOC). There is a hyper-sexualization of women of color in the media; this enforces racial stereotypes, and affects young teens, and women. The desensitization of women of color is a direct result of the nature the media depicts of them.

                                                   (http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2015/03/27/searching-for-women-of-color/)

Although women of color are increasing on the screen, they are still not depicted in the same way white women are.The fetishization of women of color is used for a profit, ultimately making the women objects of the media. Being attracted to women for the color of their skin, rather than their personalities, makes the women objects, rather than people. Women, through media, are desensitized and are viewed for only simply these characteristics. The hyper-sexualization of women of color paints to society, that women of color are innately more sexual beings. White women in the media are highlighted often as beautiful, and pretty, but for women of color, it is often words such as hot or sexy, directly illustrating that women are viewed as sexual identities, not people. All women are beautiful! White women are celebrated for their sexuality, but women of color are often labeled as a “ho” for being shown in a sexual light. This is harmful to women of color because men expect these women to be more sexually advanced, experienced, and adventurous; the belief links to rougher sexual experiences for women. Sexual assault of women of color links two major problems in society: sexism, and racism. Being educated, and understanding that women are more than the stereotypes the media paints for them is helpful in combatting the harm done.

                                   (http://xonecole.com/what-fetishizing-biracial-children-says-about-you/)

As a woman of color, I have been labeled as a "hot blooded Latina," regardless of the fact that I am not entirely Latina. Because of the way I look, people in society paint a picture of what I am, aside from who I am. People often disregard the other layers to my racial diversity; the racial diversity that I have taken a lot of time and effort to celebrate, rather than hate.My sexual appeal to others often stems from my "exotic nature," rather than any other characteristic one would use to describe a white girl like "pretty eyes." It makes me go "Are you kidding me?" It is extremely frustrating as a woman of color to be over sexualized, and fetishized. Even as a young girl, old men looked at, and treated me differently than my white friends, because they saw me for only my skin color. The idea of being a token, or prize to men because of my "rarity" and exotic nature disgusts me. I will face rougher behavior from men because they expect, a roaring sex drive from my “hot-blood.” I hope that one day, the media will paint a better picture of women of color, and they surely but slowly are. 

The media has latina women such as Gloria from “Modern Family,” Jane in “Jane the Virgin,” Flaca and Maritza in “Orange is the New Black,” portraying real characters who are not hyper-sexualized. In “How to Get Away With Murder,” the protagonist Annalise is a successful, wealthy, black lawyer. The media is taking a step in the right, and not fully white direction.