title: Breaking the chains: examining the endorsement of modern Jezebel images and racial-ethnic esteem among African American women.
abstract: The historical image of the Black Jezebel - a hypersexual, seductive and manipulative slave woman - has been one of the most pervasive and evolving images influencing the sexual socialization and perceptions of African American women today. This preliminary study examined generational differences in the endorsement of modern depictions of the Jezebel, as well as the relationship between racial-ethnic esteem and endorsement of this sexualised image. A total of 249 African American women completed an online, self-report questionnaire assessing study variables. Results suggested that younger women (aged 18-34) may exhibit higher endorsement of the modern Jezebel depictions. Additionally, aspects of racial-ethnic esteem may be linked to lower endorsement of modern Jezebel depictions among younger and older (55 years and older) African American women. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, USA. danicbr@siue.edu
authors.forename: Danice L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Rhonda L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: White-Johnson
authors.forename: Felicia D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Griffin-Fennell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult