Museum highlights
Lithograph, about 1900
Image reference DX1779B
This advertisement uses both the 'Mammy' and 'Coon' caricatures to sell the product. It is from the part of the museum's collection which explores the representation of Black people through negative racial stereotypes.
The 'Mammy' caricature is the most well known and enduring racial caricature of African American women. The caricature depicts an obese, coarse, maternal figure with a wide grin and hearty laugh, who is a loyal servant. It was used as proof that Black women were content, even happy, enslaved.
The 'Coon' caricature traditionally depicts Black men as being simple, lazy and too cynical to change their lowly positions. However by the 1900s, 'Coons' were increasingly identified with young urban Black men who were seen as disrespectful to whites.
This advertisement is currently in storage. It was formerly on display in the 'Legacies: racism and discrimination' section of the museum.