Images of Blacks in American Culture: A Reference Guide to Information Sources

(Hardback)

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The 10 essays here explore the images of blacks in historical contemporary American culture. Negative and stereotypical images of blacks have been deeply embedded in our art, music, literature, film, theater, and other forms of expression. On the other hand, as the preface states, black artists and others have also celebrated `images of strength, beauty, and achievement.' Reflecting the complexity of the relationship between the races, these two elements are often intertwined. This reference work explores these images, both positive and negative, and their historical development and impact on both black and American culture. . . . Its unique qualities are the discussions and sources for studying and understanding those artifacts as well as the provision of a historical perspective on the images. Reference Books Bulletin This comprehensive work enriches and extends the subject matter and the scope of the leading books on the topic, and provides a ready reference for information published in scattered sources. It interprets the use of black images in a variety of media, such as works of art, popular titles, and other sources, and identifies the artifacts, books, films, and other materials that have been collected privately or in libraries. The ten chapters also discuss pertinent literature on the wide range of themes that they cover, and include a selective list of additional references for further study and research. Also included are numerous illustrations that provide an interesting pictorial perspective on this controversial topic.

Reviews

Each chapter of this handbook is written by a specialist and presents a survey and a bibliography of the topic. American culture' ranges from the musical theater, the film and television industry to toys, games, and dolls, children's books, the images of the black female and the black male. Sports are omitted. The last chapter is devoted to collecting black Americana. The surveys are well written, informative, and most are presented by historical period. But it is the bibliography portion which will be of most help in reference libraries. Some are very extensive, e.g., the bibliography for the chapters on Literary criticism and black imagery' covers criticism since 1966 divided by genre including slave narratives, themes, and then individual authors. The film and television section gives filmographies, and screen credits and studies of black actors and actresses. The Black Americana resources and collections' chapter includes a select list of galleries, museums, historical societies, libraries, private collectors, dealers, clubs, shows, etc. . . . This volume will prove of great value to any library which has black studies collection and programs.-College & Research Libraries
In her preface, Jessie Carney Smith presents an overview of the stereotypical views or images' of Blacks in American culture. Various authors have written the chapters that present information and bibliographies on blacks in these areas: American art, 1700-1900; the musical stage; film and television; instrumental music and song; literary criticism; children's books; the female in popular culture; the male in popular culture; and toys, games and dolls. The last chapter lists by state resources and collections in Black Americana, a most useful guide for researchers in the field. Each article is essentially an essay with references to bibliographical sources, followed by a listing of these sources and more. Index. A unique guide, recommended for all libraries supporting research in Black Studies.-Reference Book Review
Jessie Carney Smith has edited ten excellent essays covering a variety of themes ranging from the images of black women to the early motif of blacks and toys. . . . This book has a wealth of references on black art, music, literature, children's books, popular culture, and the media. In addition to scholarly analyses by black experts assessing these black images, its chronologies, annotated bibliographies, and copious notes make the book an invaluable source for researching and understanding American culture, past and present.-The Journal of Southern History
"In her preface, Jessie Carney Smith presents an overview of the stereotypical views or images' of Blacks in American culture. Various authors have written the chapters that present information and bibliographies on blacks in these areas: American art, 1700-1900; the musical stage; film and television; instrumental music and song; literary criticism; children's books; the female in popular culture; the male in popular culture; and toys, games and dolls. The last chapter lists by state resources and collections in Black Americana, a most useful guide for researchers in the field. Each article is essentially an essay with references to bibliographical sources, followed by a listing of these sources and more. Index. A unique guide, recommended for all libraries supporting research in Black Studies."-Reference Book Review
"Jessie Carney Smith has edited ten excellent essays covering a variety of themes ranging from the images of black women to the early motif of blacks and toys. . . . This book has a wealth of references on black art, music, literature, children's books, popular culture, and the media. In addition to scholarly analyses by black experts assessing these black images, its chronologies, annotated bibliographies, and copious notes make the book an invaluable source for researching and understanding American culture, past and present."-The Journal of Southern History
"Each chapter of this handbook is written by a specialist and presents a survey and a bibliography of the topic. American culture' ranges from the musical theater, the film and television industry to toys, games, and dolls, children's books, the images of the black female and the black male. Sports are omitted. The last chapter is devoted to collecting black Americana. The surveys are well written, informative, and most are presented by historical period. But it is the bibliography portion which will be of most help in reference libraries. Some are very extensive, e.g., the bibliography for the chapters on Literary criticism and black imagery' covers criticism since 1966 divided by genre including slave narratives, themes, and then individual authors. The film and television section gives filmographies, and screen credits and studies of black actors and actresses. The Black Americana resources and collections' chapter includes a select list of galleries, museums, historical societies, libraries, private collectors, dealers, clubs, shows, etc. . . . This volume will prove of great value to any library which has black studies collection and programs."-College & Research Libraries

Author Bio

JESSIE CARNEY SMITH is University Librarian and Professor at Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee.