NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Northern Illinois University presents: “Modern Day Minstel: The History of Stereotype and Caricature in the Black Community and the Effect on Current Media and Pop Culture,” a moderated panel discussion, Wednesday, September 25 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. in the Stevens Buildings’ Corner Theatre (room 249).

The presentation is open to the public, moderated by Jessica Arends and will feature panelists:

  • Dr. Laverne Gyant, NIU Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education
  • Dr. Vernese Edgehill-Walden, NIU Associate Vice Provost
  • Dr. Joseph Flynn, Associate Director of Curriculum and Studies, NIU Center For Black Studies

“This panel aims to spark a dialogue on the importance of diversity and interracial understanding. We will focus on different caricatures and how they’ve evolved through time from the Uncle Tom to the Token Black Kid; the Coon to the Drug Dealer; the Mammy to the Welfare Queen; and the Sapphire to the Angry Black Women. Panelists are encouraged to speak on different cultural events that influenced these stereotypes such as: the War on Drugs, School to Prison Pipeline, Representation and Misrepresentation in media, and the White Narrative/Privilege as well as any and all topics relevant to their expertise and experience.”