Imus Still in Hot Water

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I'm fully aware of the history of the term, and the relatively nascent movement to recapture the 'nappy' look within a segment of the black population, but is it really a term with strong negative connotation?

If it is used as a value judgment, yes.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Does it carry this same connotation in the context used, which compares a group of (what Imus considers) attractive African American women to another?

Yes, especially when there may be a perceived hair texture and complexion difference between the two groups of women. That's where the "jiggaboo" reference comes from.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

The term "ho" certainly can't be the (racial) issue here, can it?

It can be if we look at the history of the "jezebel" and how black women were either over sexualized by the media or made asexual through the "mammy" image.

But there are more obvious sexist overtones for many people, which is why gender groups have gotten involved.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

If it is used as a value judgment, yes.

OK - so am I safe in assuming that we're taking "nappy" as a judgment of more than just attractiveness here?

If not, is attractiveness really a 'value judgment' in the traditional sense of the term?

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Yes, especially when there may be a perceived hair texture and complexion difference between the two groups of women.

This makes perfect sense, and I really didn't even consider that aspect before I asked the question, to be honest. Well put.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

It can be if we look at the history of the "jezebel" and how black women were either over sexualized by the media or made asexual through the "mammy" image.

Doesn't this create a difficult situation wherein any sexualized image of black women can be construed as supporting one of these disparate portrayals (based, obviously, on whether one sees the portrayal as more or less sexual than the individual would expect)?

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Doesn't this create a difficult situation wherein any sexualized image of black women can be construed as supporting one of these disparate portrayals (based, obviously, on whether one sees the portrayal as more or less sexual than the individual would expect)?

No.

None of these images are expected to be completely removed. We are asking for balance.