Dr. Jeffrey-Legette’s book examines depictions of African-descended women and girls in twentieth and twenty-first century filmmaking. She provides an analysis of stereotypes; discusses roles garnered by Halle Berry, the only Black woman to receive an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role; reviews what we see in the characters, relationships, and scripts found in works ranging from Altered Carbon, Lovecraft Country, and HBO’s Watchmen series as well as touch on the legacy of Black women in horror (think 1972 film, Blacula).
In a dynamic, evocative, and interactive discussion using video clips from speculative film and television as well as references to literature, Jeffrey-Legette highlights how these recent works explore the trauma endured by people of African descent in the United States of America. In doing so, she provides a compelling interpretation of prevalent, well-received, and recurring images of Black women and girls in American popular culture.
Currently, Dr. Jeffrey-Legette is a Fellow at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park.
This Free Event is co-sponsored by the Center for Racial and Social Justice, the Department of Mass Communications and Digital Technology, the School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities and Shaw University Divinity School.
Date: February 23, 2023
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Yancy Auditorium Room 126
