This section displays images of African Americans artistically rendered in 19th Century engravings and prints, and in early 1900s newspaper cartoons. Many of the engravings romanticized the Old South way of life by showing happy, contented slaves. These images would become prevalent in the early days of filmmaking as well. Other images in this section show the derogatory way that Blacks were caricatured as coons and pickaninnies in early newspaper cartoons and comic strips.

The late 19th Century saw the rise of product advertising in the United States. One common form of advertising was the Victorian trade card; postcard-sized cardboard ads that were given out at merchant stores and in mailings. Victorian trade cards often sported interesting graphics or puzzles, sometimes having nothing to do with the product being advertised. These cards were highly collectible and often turn up at auctions and estate sales today, pasted into old albums. Victorian trade cards and other product advertising presented White American with a shared set of values and desires, set apart from minorities by their "other" status. Advertising and products from this time period frequently popularized stereotypes and caricatures through racial imagery.

[planned for the future]

Although postcards had been around since 1861, they became extremely popular following the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Sendings had to write on the front of the postcard until 1907, when the "divided back" card created space next to the address area for a written message. Due to their extreme popularity and their tendency to often incorporate humor into their messages, postcards were prolific distributors of racist imagery. A few stereoviews and greeting cards are also included in this section.

Because of their impressionable age, children are most vulnerable to the messages imbedded in popular culture. This section deals exclusively with items that were designed and marketed for the American child consumer, including toys, books, dolls, and other play items. Most recently, racist imagery has been imported from Japan in the form of Animae and Maga-related pop culture. Ironically, much of this imagery was first exported to Japan in the 20th Century and is now coming back home.

Comic books also were designed and marketed for children. However, because of their former status as a popular culture phenomena, and their unique artistic storytelling format, they will be considered separately from the other items that targeted children. The AHC is currently collecting, digitizing, organizing, and editing comic book sources from 1938 to the present for a future essay on the history of African Americans in comic books.

This small collection features images of some of the more famous Black celebrities in the first half of the 20th Century. Many Caucasian Americans formed their impressions of Black people from such notables as boxer Jack Johnson and actor Stepin' Fetchit, who made a career for himself mastering the coon role in films. Other Black celebrities weren't Black at all, but White actors in "blackface," a makeup made of burnt cork. For more on this phenomeon, see the section on minstrel music and coon songs above.

African American caricatures were commonly distributed through the manufacturing and sale of everyday household items, especially in items made for the kitchen. Most common were the mammy and tom caricatures, whose simple, desexualized appearance suggested trustworthiness in areas of domestic & servant labor. Other items reflected the mainstream acceptance of the derogatory coon caricature. Racist cookie jars, salt & pepper shakers, and many other household items can still be found in many older American households today.

This small collection shows images of adult books and magazines that depict African Americans in popular culture & stereotypes of African Americans.

While some items may not intend to offend and may unintentionally stereotype, novelty items are specifically designed to employ racist caricatures as a humorous, novelty device. These items tend to be purchased because of the extreme imagery, or because they are seen by the consumer as being funny and "cute." Novelty items often represent the most naked racism in American consumer society.

Analysis of a large collection of artifacts with racist African American imagery reveals several common themes. One is the linking of Black people in a negative way to chicken and watermelon. The connecting of Blacks to chicken and watermelon was done in a way to dehumanize Blacks and subject them to ridicule. This process helped contribute to prejudice and discrimination.

Analysis of a large collection of artifacts with racist African American imagery reveals several common themes. One is the portrayal of Black people, especially (often naked) children, as food for alligators. Imagery of Blacks as "alligator bait" can be found on prints, postcards, and even in product advertising. Some modern-day items still connect Black people to hungry alligators.

The United States does not have a monopoly on racist imagery of Black people. Other Anglo-dominated countries such an the United Kingdom and Australia also produced large quantities of racist artifacts. In particular, these countries embrace the Golliwog caricature as a kind of childhood companion similar to the American child's "teddy bear." Many citizens of these countries vigorously defend their gollies, despite the negative history of the caricature and its demeaning qualities.