Black women in the romance genre: An integrated analysis of diversity in the Shondaland universe

This aim of this thesis is to examine the representation of Black women in the romance genre, along with how different networks like ABC and Fox and production company’s like Shondaland approach casting and characterizing Black women. This thesis uses the following approach: (1) It will update the historical context of Black women’s representation in film, television, and media, by referencing the treatment of Black women dating back to slavery in the United States. (2) It will contextualize and analyze the different tropes and “controlling images” of Black women in televisual romance narratives. The goal is to see if the romance genre presents alternative depictions or if the genre demonstrates the same patterns as other stereotypical tropes used throughout history, a step that requires engaging with Patricia Hill Collins work on the “controlling images” of Black women. (3) Finally, it will examine Black women’s reception and interpretations of Shondaland content like Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton, and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, to discover how such women feel about different works within the romance genre, and to show how there may be different interpretations based on how Black female audiences view the status quo in society. The objective of the research is to update the studies and scholarship discussed throughout the work while applying some of their insights to an underrepresented genre and underrepresented demographic. Combining the approaches above allows for the conversation to spotlight the different avenues that go into making complex media representations for and about Black women. As a demographic, Black women have been overlooked and underrepresented for far too long. So, analyzing the industry, Shondaland, the content Shondaland makes, and how audiences receive the content will allow Black women to display themselves as cultural readers and co-producers to narratives that include Black women’s experiences, whether it be through protests and push back on social media or creating media entities that cater to the Black female demographic. Overall, the goal of this thesis is to center Black women in the conversation of the romantic genre, while dismantling stereotypes and depictions that hold Black women back, not only in entertainment, but in society as well.