Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2013 Burn, boil & eat : an intersection analysis of stereotypes in the most influential films of all time Roslyn M. Satchel Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Mass Communication Commons Recommended Citation Satchel, Roslyn M., "Burn, boil & eat : an intersection analysis of stereotypes in the most influential films of all time" (2013). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 2334. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/2334 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. BURN, BOIL & EAT: AN INTERSECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF STEREOTYPES IN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FILMS OF ALL TIME A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Manship School of Mass Communication by Roslyn M. Satchel B.A. Howard University, 1995 M.Div. Emory University, 2000 J.D. Emory University, 2000 August 2013 ©Copyright 2013 Roslyn M. Satchel All rights reserved ii I dedicate this dissertation to my son, parents, sister, and above all, the Divine Sources that are our sustenance—for, faith in God through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and my forebears enlivens everything I do. To my son, Satchel Augustine, I give my all as a legacy on which he can build. He inspired me to complete this dissertation. Satchel is a blessing who brings hope and life, and I aim to provide the best for him. Writing with him on lap, in office playpen, or under desk proved both immensely challenging and rewarding. I hope one day he will read my work and see himself as a part of it—a collaborator, furthering peace and justice. Irrespective of their own struggles, my parents, Rev. Dr. Frank R. Satchel, Sr. and Dr. Dorethea Browning Satchel, always supported me and my son in all regards. What blessings they are! Without them, none of this would be possible. They instilled in me a commitment to excellence and integrity. Pursuing these aspirations led me to academe and my dream of “conscientization” one student at a time, rather than settling for the unfulfilling trappings of success in my prior career. From my parents, I learned that contributing to society is more important than money and power. I thank them for all of this—and so much more. Together, their union produced six critical minds—one of whom moved into the realm of ancestors far too soon. My closest sister, Faedra Rhondell, along with siblings, Frank Jr., Anthony, Debra, and Alicia, pushed me (as youngest) to rise above mediocrity. Faedra and I modeled professionally, and media images troubled us early. We wanted to change the industry and world. She continues to inspire me to dream, fight, require the best, and make a difference—even from the Hall of Faith, that ever-present mighty cloud of witnesses. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I am grateful. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “I am because we are” is an African proverb that undergirds my worldview. The message it conveys is that an individual derives her being, accomplishments, and even her growing edges in relation to the community from which she emerges. Indeed, I am a reflection of those who taught, challenged, and inspired me. Completing this dissertation and earning my Ph.D. mark the apex of my educational journey—an achievement that is possible thanks to the prayers, help, guidance, and support of many very important people who never gave up on me and never let me give up. I will always remember what they did for me, and as a tribute to them, I will give others the same considerations and assistance that my mentors, educators, colleagues, friends, and family afforded me. My gratitude and respect exceed explanation for Dr. Ralph Izard, my Chairperson and Advisor. As my First Amendment professor, he challenged me to think ethically and philosophically rather than merely rely on my background in law. Even more so in my subsequent research, he pushed me with great patience to question and fully explore my assumptions and dispositions to their logical extremes in ways that deepened my analytical skills. His consistent admonitions to “keep pluggin’” served as not only encouragement but also fortitude-builders; for, I understood in it his compassion for the struggles I experienced, and more importantly, his belief in my ability to be resilient and complete the task before me. There were extraordinary obstacles, but Dr. Izard saw me through them all with the wisdom of a sage. His willingness to delay his “official retirement” to see me through the dissertation process is a badge of honor that I wear with the pride of an apprentice to a true master professor. In addition to Dr. Izard, Drs. Margaret “Peggy” DeFleur, Felicia Wu Song, Raymond T. Diamond, and Pamela Pike composed the best dissertation committee ever. For, throughout this iv process, each of these consummate professors was an ideal consultant, educator, and mentor. With sincerity, I acknowledge that I learned more through dissertating with their guidance than I ever imagined possible. They made me a better writer and a bourgeoning scholar not by telling me what to think or even what to do. Instead, they asked the right questions and pointed me in the necessary directions in a manner that empowered me to learn what was needed. Honing these skills with their instruction bolsters my present and future research. Hopefully, they will always see their imprint and influence. I am indebted eternally. Without Dr. Peggy DeFleur, I may not have entered or completed the Ph.D. program. She believed in me when I doubted my ability (and lucidity) to complete another degree program. I earnestly appreciate that, as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies & Research, she saw fit to nominate me for the fellowship that funded my studies and provided a national community of minority scholars to support me. Furthermore, when I contracted the swine flu and student health services quarantined me for several weeks in my first semester, Dr. DeFleur was the one who convinced me not to quit and helped me design a strategy for completing my coursework. Throughout these four years, she has been my champion and confidante—allowing me space to cry or offering me advice for moving forward. Yet, Dr. DeFleur never coddled me. Her laser precision in zoning in on theoretical or methodological flaws was painful at times, but her critiques also motivated me to work harder, learn more, and produce more credible scholarship. Likewise, Dr. Felicia Wu Song taught me so much about research methods, scholarship, the academy, and life in general. Matriculating while pregnant often felt as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Yet, Dr. Song helped me to understand my experience as normal and manageable. She patiently assisted me in sorting through numerous dissertation ideas and v designing an achievable research project. She introduced me to scholars and approaches that reminded me why, as a cynical lawyer and clergyperson, I chose to do a PhD in Media & Public Affairs—works to which I wish I was exposed earlier. Dr. Song’s advice proved invaluable at each phase of my dissertation process. By far, she went above and beyond the call of duty to teach me not only how to produce quality scholarship and do a qualitative content analysis, but also how to maintain a work-life balance necessary for a young mother in academe. By the same token, I learned far more from Professor Raymond T. Diamond about work- life balance than I expected. From him, as a legal scholar and vice chancellor at LSU’s Law Center, I anticipated learning about constitutional law, critical race theory and general jurisprudence. In addition to all that, however, Professor Diamond taught me to believe in myself again—to trust my judgment and argue my positions—to be bold and confident, not allowing fear or insecurity to paralyze me. Rather than answer my questions conventionally, he would redirect the issues to me in ways that inspired independent discovery and exploration. Sure, he taught me more about corporations, monopolies, and vertical and horizontal mergers than I ever learned in law school, but more importantly he challenged me to apply analytical skills from my prior graduate studies to my present research. With brilliance matched only by humility, Professor Diamond reminded me that we all have something to learn and something to teach. Also, I appreciate Dr. Pamela Pike for joining my dissertation committee as the Graduate School Dean’s representative. Her genuine interest in my research was encouraging and her suggestions for strengthening it were most helpful. Her presence and that of her predecessor, Dr. Greg Schufreider, during the general examination process, broadened the significance of the experience. I credit LSU’s Graduate School with facilitating such a rewarding, orderly and vi transparent process. Specifically, I extend a special thank you to the Assistant Dean, Marie Hamilton; for, Dean Hamilton ensured my compliance with the requirements and my receipt of the benefits related to my fellowship. She always had an encouraging word to offer and a smile to share. Thanks also to the dissertation reviewers and staff. On that note, I must acknowledge the Southern Regional Education Board and Louisiana’s Board of Regents for the tremendous financial support provided to me over these four years.