The “Problematics of Culture and Theory” Seminar, held by the School of English at Aristotle University,
will be hosting a talk by Dr. Donnetrice Allison (Professor and Chair in Africana Studies; Stockton U, US)
on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026, at 13.30 (13.30-14.45).
The title of the talk is:
“Black Representation in American Film and Television”
The talk will take place online via the Zoom platform, but in-person participation will also be available for those interested in meeting the speaker in person.
All those interested in attending via zoom, please submit the relevant registration form. The zoom link details for the event will be sent by email on the eve of the talk to all those who have registered for online participation.
In person attendance of the talk will be possible, but only a limited number of participants will be able to attend in person in room 417 Junior. If you are interested in meeting Prof. Allison and attending the talk in person, please email Dr. Roupakia at roupakia@enl.auth.gr.
Problematics Seminar Coordinators
Dr L.E. Roupakia (roupakia@enl.auth.gr) and Dr Å. Botonaki (botonaki@enl.auth.gr)
EVENT ABSTRACT
This talk examines the evolving history of Black portrayals in American film and television, tracing a trajectory from racial caricature to complex self-representation. Beginning with early cinema such as The Birth of a Nation, which codified dehumanizing stereotypes, the presentation explores how Blackness was constructed through minstrelsy, servitude tropes, and criminalization in Hollywood’s foundational years. It then turns to mid-twentieth-century breakthroughs, including the dignified performances of Sidney Poitier and the industry disruptions of the Blaxploitation era, highlighting the tensions between empowerment and commodification. The talk further analyzes transformative television moments such as The Cosby Show and Roots, which redefined mainstream visibility, before examining twenty-first-century expansions of genre and authorship in works like Get Out, Sinners, Black Panther, Lovecraft Country, and Insecure. Across these periods, the presentation interrogates how representation shapes public perception, policy discourse, and cultural identity. Ultimately, this talk argues that Black portrayals on screen are never merely entertainment; they are sites of ideological struggle, creative resistance, and narrative reclamation that reflect broader battles over citizenship, humanity, and power in American society.
GUEST SPEAKER’S BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Dr. Donnetrice Allison is Professor of Communication Studies and coordinator of Africana Studies at Stockton University. Among other courses, she teaches “African American Movies,” “African Americans on Television” and “Women, Minorities and the Media.” Dr. Allison is the editor of the book Black Women's Portrayals on Reality Television: The New Sapphire and writer and co-producer of the film 'Teaching While Black.'
