- The traditional concept of mammy, the faithful, obedient, black domestic servant, includes a heavy-set frame and a matronly appearance with an apron around the waist and a handkerchief on the head. She has dark skin and is overweight and gaudily dressed. The mammy stereotype is of a genial, churchgoing, spiritual woman, compliant in the face of white authority. While some may use the term sentimentally, to a black woman it is patronizing and insulting.
- The name Jezebel comes from the New Testament section of the Bible and refers to an immoral, idol-worshipping woman. The portrayal of black women as seductive, worldly, tempting, lewd and alluring is one of the stereotypes of black women. Pre-dating the institution of slavery in America, the semi-nudity of African natives was misinterpreted as lewdness. In contrast to the stereotype of the black woman as Jezebel, the white woman was portrayed as a model of sexual purity, self-control and self-respect.
- Television and radio are greatly responsible for stereotyping African American women as gold diggers. Reality shows, news reports and music videos portray black women as big-lipped, big-mouthed, gyrating women with many kids from different fathers. The women are made out to be promiscuous, dating plenty of men and placing great emphasis on cars, jewelry, clothes and money the men have, rather than engaging in meaningful relationships.
- African American women are often unfairly stereotyped as lazy and not willing to work, failing to pass the work ethic and having no male authority figure to assist the family. In contrast is a study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) titled "Welfare That Works," based on a single welfare mothers' sample generated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census' Survey of Income and Program Participation. It indicates that the number of African American women accepting aid from the AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) actually declined.
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