Research Symposium

BIO

Erin is from Coral Springs, Florida, and is currently a sophomore at Florida State University, majoring in English with a double major in Anthropology. Her academic interests are concentrated in literature, comparative studies, and critical theory. Under the guidance of Jade Jemison, Erin has researched representations of Black motherhood in U.S. film and how these portrayals engage with class-based ideologies. As she continues her undergraduate career, she hopes to pursue further research involving textual analysis and theoretical approaches.

Endurance and Economy: Representations of Black Motherhood and Class in U.S. Film

Abstract

This research analyzes how the relationship between Black motherhood and economic class is portrayed in U.S. film and how these narratives construct viewers' perceptions of Black motherhood through racially based tropes. Although Black mothers are often characterized as symbols of resilience and moral stability, they are frequently written as wrestling with economic hardship and exploitation, which limits the visibility of their agency and complexity. This project examines how Black maternal figures are represented in various film narratives and what cultural impacts these depictions create. Using qualitative and quantitative content analysis, this study analyzes 25 films across various genres from 1950 onward. The common pattern among these films is the inclusion of at least one Black maternal figure. The films are coded for themes such as maternal sacrifice, autonomy, economic positioning, narrative reward or punishment, and emotional interiority. The social contexts vary depending on the era in which each film was produced. Preliminary findings point to the prominence of the “strong, self-sacrificing mother” archetype. In these portrayals, Black mothers are often defined by their endurance through circumstances of economic uncertainty. When they exercise autonomy outside of caregiving and labor, they are frequently punished or marginalized. This research demonstrates how film portrayals sustain or challenge ideologies of Black motherhood and class struggle. The purpose is to examine these depictions critically and reflect on how media representations shape cultural understandings of race, class, and motherhood.

Keywords: Film Representation Black Motherhood Class