![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For the former, it perpetuates a culture of anti-blackness and anti-black stereotypes. The names of her siblings were Caramel, Cinnamon. For the latter, its significance is unwavering. The Proud Family: Dijonay Jones's Siblings 20,206 views Dijonay Jones and her eight siblings were named after spices and condiments. Is The Proud Family a black feminist television show? Does it matter that there is an episode where Penny dresses up like Angela Davis for a history assignment if black stereotypes are being perpetuated? Does Trudy’s strength and success make the show a black feminist show, even though Dijonay’s mother and Dijonay herself are depicted as lazy black mothers? The Proud Family is rich with messages that can be perceived as anti-blackness and messages which can subvert cultural norms around blackness alike. If pushed further, this underlying anti-blackness suggests that black people without a little bit of white in them truly are stereotypes such as the coon, the welfare queen, and the hoodlum. What I am suggesting here is that a possibly unintentional but still visible notion of “ghetto”-ness is attached to the darker-skinned characters on the show. They are mischievous, they all look raggedy, and they are all blue (a comment on their skin being ashy, which connotes class).ĭijonay, her family, Oscar, and the Gross Sister all hae darker skin than Trudy and Penny. They hold out their hands, stealing other kids’ money. The Gross Sisters, three black girls who attend school with Penny, serve the role of the black criminals. Oscar is a modern-day caricature of the coon. Oscar, Penny’s father is portrayed as a business failure, lazy, and irresponsible. Other, darker skinned characters are also put into racial boxes on the show. The mere fact that Dijonay is taking care of her siblings might make viewers ask where Dijonay’s parents are in the first place. This reinforces stereotypes around lazy black mothers. Dijonay May Jones (voiced by Karen Malina White) is Penny Prouds sassy, enthusiastic best friend who knows her best. Dijonay has many siblings, all of whom are “misbehaved”, and for whom she is frequently a reluctant caregiver. While Trudy represents a positive, black feminist representation of the black woman and black mother, Dijonay, Penny’s best friend, is in direct contrast to that. Trudy supports her family physically, emotionally, and financially. The second reason is that Trudy is the main bread winner in the house. Because black motherhood is constantly questioned and historically devalued, this display of strong black motherhood in the media is rare. The first is simply that Trudy is a black woman. While this does not seem particularly important because many television shows portray mothers as the ones who “do it all”, it is in this case for two main reasons. Trudy is a veterinarian, a mother to two young babies, a wife, and a mentor to Penny whom she also mothers. Trudy Proud, Penny’s mother, is one character who is portrayed in a black feminist light. Many television programs existed before The Proud Family which featured black leads, but The Proud Family was the first to do so on The Disney Channel and was also one of the first that featured black, female leads. The show has some major successes which must not be overlooked. ![]()
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