Above: A Negro is Cremated by Lynch Mob. Robert W. Kelley, Life Magazine, September 10, 1956.
Throughout the 1930s and 40s, there was a very limited portrayal of African Americans in mainstream media. In Life Magazine, most blacks were represented by degrading photography that made use of offensive stereotypes. These photos and their accompanying articles often depicted blacks as criminals or as simple-minded victims. |
“Prior to the 1950s, African Americans were generally portrayed in stories related to entertainment, sports, and criminal activities. They were not shown in everyday life situations.” |