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XULAneXUS

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

Once referred to as, “the Negro bible” by famed actor and comedian Redd Foxx[1], Jet has continued to be a pioneer in representing Black Americans as beyond the stereotypes to which they are so often relegated. The magazine has not only provided accurate coverage throughout momentous Black historical movements such as the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, the Black is Beautiful movement of the late 1960s, and the Natural Hair Movement of the 2000s, but it has also catered to the daily interests of Black Americans, such as fashion and beauty, lifestyle advice, dating advice, politics, health and diet guides, and coverage of popular actresses and actors of the time. Jet has prided itself on instilling in Black women “confidence and strength” through their representations of Black women. Comparison of the portrayals of Black women in Jet articles, advertisements, and illustrations published in the years 1950-1955, 1970-1975, 1990-1995; years during which the beauty standard of America was very Eurocentric and did not stray from that line; shows that Jet Magazine was one of the first publications to depict Black women as inherently beautiful. Examination of these representations within the historical, political, and psychological contexts of Black culture in America shows the development of Jet as an agent of social reform and change that challenges both the traditional view of Black women and the beauty standards present in American society.

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