The "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" is a popular and influential Black sitcom in pop culture history, as it presents one of the first American portrayals of a prestigious Black family unit. The sitcom will be the subject of this research because it presents aspects of dominant Whiteness, colourism, through a narrative analysis, to observe how dark-skinned Black women are represented in Hollywood. In this study, I look to investigate these 3 questions, "How is Black beauty represented on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? ‘How do the character traits given to dark-skinned females differ from the character traits given to their lighter-skinned counterparts? And do these differences represent colourism? and ‘What do these differences of Black skin tones represent on the show. To investigate this question, my research used narrative analysis to observe dominant assumptions around skin tone, character representations, and character interactions. Using narrative analysis as my primary research method, my study utilized a deductive coding list, by observing 10 episodes of the show Fresh Prince of Bel Air. As a result, my research findings outlined how the use of characters, storylines, and interactions were formed to create narratives of colourism and beauty ideals and inferiority. The study used Critical Race Theory (CRT) to analyze these codes and identified themes of essentialism, and colourism. Through the analysis, the study illustrates the film characters Hilary, Aunt Viv, Jasmine, and Phil’s mother as dominant representations of Whiteness, and portrays how toxic ideals of Black beauty are displayed.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Colourism As the Root of Superiority
- Beauty Standard/Essentialism
- Methodology
- Findings
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper aims to analyze the portrayal of Black beauty, specifically focusing on dark-skinned Black women, in the popular sitcom "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." By utilizing narrative analysis, the study investigates the presence of colourism and how it manifests through character representations and interactions within the show.
- Representation of Black beauty in "Fresh Prince of Bel Air"
- Colorism and its impact on character portrayal
- The role of dominant Whiteness in perpetuating beauty ideals
- The relationship between skin tone and character traits
- The influence of cultural dominance on Black beauty and self-perception
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Abstract: This chapter provides a brief overview of the research topic, highlighting the importance of examining colourism in media representations of Black women. The study focuses on the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" sitcom, using narrative analysis to explore how dark-skinned Black women are portrayed in relation to their lighter-skinned counterparts.
- Introduction: This chapter delves into the historical roots of colourism, tracing its origins to colonial oppression and slavery. It discusses the historical context of the separation between lighter-skinned and darker-skinned Black people, highlighting how lighter skin was often associated with greater privileges and a more idealized standard of beauty. The chapter then connects these historical realities to the representation of Black beauty in contemporary media, particularly focusing on the sitcom genre and the role of Hollywood in perpetuating these ideals.
- Literature Review: This chapter examines the theoretical frameworks and existing research relevant to colourism and Black beauty. It discusses Critical Race Theory as a lens for understanding the systemic nature of colourism, highlighting how cultural dominance and the privileging of Whiteness contribute to the marginalization of darker-skinned Black women. The chapter also explores the impact of beauty standards and essentialism on how Black women are perceived and treated, drawing on the work of Stuart Hall to illustrate how colonial legacies continue to influence contemporary cultural representations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research paper focuses on critical themes of colourism, Black beauty, media representation, narrative analysis, Critical Race Theory, and the sitcom "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." The study investigates how dominant Whiteness and cultural dominance contribute to the portrayal of darker-skinned Black women in media, highlighting the historical context of these issues and the enduring impact they have on perceptions of beauty and identity.
- Quote paper
- Abi Lewis (Author), 2022, "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air". The Erasure of Dark Skin Black Women, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1388143
