Table 1.

Definitions of Race-Based Stereotypes of Black Women.

Race-based stereotypes	Definitions	Implications
Historical
Mammy	The archetype of the portly, asexual and fierce caretaker, reinforced the absurdity that Black women will bear any burden, not because they wanted to, but because they were living for it. She is the woman who typically sacrifices her own needs to benefit someone else (Thomas et al., 2004).	Internalization of this stereotype may lead to the need to be nurturing and supportive of others, often at one’s own expense, while presenting a façade of strength (West, 1995).
Jezebel	This archetype is the image of an immoral, sexually promiscuous, and sexually available Black woman. The stereotype of Jezebel was derived from the sexual exploitation and victimization of Black women, often as a way to justify sexual relations with enslaved women (Collins, 2004). Black women, seen in this role, are often viewed as promiscuous, loose, immoral, sexual aggressors, and lacking sexual restraint.	Internalization of this stereotype may lead women to perceive sexuality as one of few assets or may cause sexual acting out or repression of sexual feelings (West, 1995).
Sapphire	This archetype is the image of an aggressive, dominating, angry, emasculating Black woman. The perceptions of Black women from this character include arrogance, being controlling, loud, hostile, obnoxious, and never satisfied (West, 1995). She represents the type of woman who has keen yet sarcastic wit and in some instances is quite abrasive. Her role is one of a “tough as nails” persona, one who is not easily shaken emotionally (Thomas et al., 2004).	Internalization of this stereotype may lead women to perceive sexuality as one of few assets or may cause sexual acting out or repression of sexual feeling (West, 1995).
Contemporary
Matriarch	This archetype is linked to the Black women being the head of the household as the greatest threat to the Black community. Unquestioning belief in that assessment means single Black mothers and their children are demonized (Collins, 2002).	Internalized of this stereotype may lead women to feel demonized for not having a traditional nuclear family and accepting of relationships that are unhealthy with unequal relationship dynamics.
Angry Black Woman	A variant of the Sapphire stereotype. This stereotype characterizes black women as bad-tempered, hostile, overly aggressive, and ignorant without provocation (West, 1995).	Internalized of this stereotype may lead women to feel shame about challenging social inequalities and advocating for fair treatment due to fear of scrutiny and social rejection.
Welfare Queen	This archetype is connected to images of Black women as “breeders” dating back to slavery (Collins, 2002). The welfare queen is an image of an uneducated, poor, single Black woman who does not want to work but has many children in order to take advantage of public assistance (Woodard & Mastin, 2005).	Internalized of this stereotype may lead women to feel demonized for not having a traditional nuclear family and accepting of relationships that are unhealthy with unequal relationship dynamics.
Superwoman	This archetype is linked to the pressure and expectation of Black women to manage multiple roles of the both homemaker and career women that usually inclusive to one person or gender. This mold of being self-reliant and self-contained is damaging in a sense because if you are unable to be self-reliant (i.e., needing extra help with the electric bill) and/or self-contained (i.e., feeling overwhelmed by the extra workload but being proud of being trusted to perform well under pressure) then culturally you aren’t a true strong Black woman and you aren’t to be depended on.	Internalization of this stereotype may lead to the need to be nurturing and supportive of others while also trying to balance other aspects of their lives, often at one’s own expense, while presenting a façade of strength (West, 1995). This may lead a woman to neglect her own mental and physical health to obtain goals that are not realistic.
Thot	This archetype is linked to Black women who are considered to have many casual sexual encounters or relationships (Glass, 2018). It is an acronym for the term “that hoe over there” and “thirsty hoes out there.” They are considered to be women who pretends to be the type of valuable female commodity who rightfully earns male commitment—until the man discovers that she’s just a cheap imitation of a “good girl” who is good only for mindless sex, not relationships or respect.”	Internalization of this stereotype may lead women to perceive sexuality as one of few assets that would lead to acceptance by male sex partners.