 | Transcending Blackness Analyzing emblematic representations of multiracial figures in popular culture--Jennifer Beals's character in the The L Word ; the protagonist in Danny Senza's novel Caucasia ; the title character in the independent film Mixing Nia ; and contestants in a controversial episode of the reality show America's Next Top Model , who had to "switch ethnicities" for a photo shoot--Joseph identifies the persistence of two widespread stereotypes about mixed-race African Americans, those of "new millennium mulattas" and "exceptional multiracials." The former inscribes multiracial African Americans as tragic figures whose blackness predestines them for misfortune; the latter rewards mixed-race African Americans for successfully erasing their blackness. Addressing questions of authenticity, sexuality, and privilege, Transcending Blackness refutes the idea that race no longer matters in American society. Ralina L. Joseph is Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Washington. |
