Unveiling a Fragile Construct: Media's Impact on Black Women's Personhood Open Access

Abstract

This paper examines the intersections of race, gender, and media in shaping perceptions of Black women's personhood through an analysis of three high-profile trials: Angela Davis’ 1971 murder trial, Anita Hill’s testimony during Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearing, and Megan Thee Stallion’s assault case against Tory Lanez. Drawing from historical precedents, such as the Salem witch trials and legal doctrines like Partus Sequitur Ventrem, the paper illuminates how media continues to reinforce the subjugation of Black women by denying their personhood. Through a Black feminist lens, the analysis reveals how media collaborates with the legal system to perpetuate racialized and gendered narratives, casting Black women as societal threats and undermining their credibility and victimhood. By examining the evolution of media coverage from print to television news to social media, the paper underscores the persistence of discriminatory practices and the urgent need for critical engagement with visual media. Ultimately, the paper calls for a reevaluation of truth, justice, and representation in media, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for recognition and equality faced by Black women.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………....1

Chapter 2: Angela Davis and the Construction of the Imaginary Enemy……………...19

Chapter 3: Anita Hill: Unraveling Racial Gendering in Media…………………………….38

Chapter 4: The Media vs. Megan Thee Stallion……………………………………………...52

Chapter 5: Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….....68

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Philosophy
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Multimedia Communications Law African American Studies
Keyword	Angela Davis Black Women Anita Hill Megan Thee Stallion Personhood Media
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Linette Park, Emory University
Committee Members	Dilek Huseyinzadegan, Emory University Aminah Hassan-Birdwell, Emory University

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