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Depiction of black Americans in cinema in 1930s - 1940s

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How did Hollywood movies depict black Americans during the 1930s and 1940s, and how did African Americans respond?

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This solution outlines the various ways in which African Americans were depicted in Hollywood movies in the 1930s and 1940s

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Hollywood movies depicted black Americans during the 1930s and 1940s in stereotypical and discriminatory ways.
Ronald Davis writes that:
"Hollywood films. . . presented blacks within the context of images from the minstrel shows and vaudeville. Usually, blacks were presented as faithful and often wise or hapless servants, resolute and devoted Mammy-type characters, and often stupid and silly chicken- stealing blacks. Many of the classic film landmarks of American culture featured such stereotypical portrayals of African ...

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