Black Women in Primetime Soap Opera: Examining Representation within Genre

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using textual genre analysis, this research studied representation in primetime soap operas, Scandal, How To Get Away with Murder, and Empire. Two hundred and eighty-three episodes were viewed to understand how black female identity is represented in primetime soap and how genre influences those representation. Using Collins (2009) theory of controlling images, this study found that black female protagonists were depicted as jezebels and matriarchs. The welfare mother stereotype was updated by portrayals of black woman as hard working. Soap opera conventions such as heavy talk helped provide context to stereotypical portrayals while conventions such as melodrama lead to reactive characterization.