Watermelon stereotype

In the early 20th century, a number of postcards were made to illustrate the watermelon stereotype; this is one of them.

The Watermelon stereotype is the stereotypical view that black people can be made happy easily; they only need a watermelon and a little rest for their happiness. The stereotype was perpetuated in minstrel shows often depicting African Americans as ignorant and workshy, given to song and dance and inordinately fond of watermelon. This stereotype is common in the United States, and probably goes back to the times of slavery: The people who were in favour of slavery wanted to show that black people were simple-minded and only needed few things for their happiness.

Watermelon Stereotype Media

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  A 1909 postcard, with the caption "I'se so happy!"

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  The first known image associating black people with watermelons.

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  Pickaninny caricature from the early 1900s. The postcard shows a picture of a black boy eating a watermelon, with a stereotypical poem underneath.

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  Lithograph of a black boy holding a watermelon, circa 1850–1900

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  A 1904 stereotypical coon card

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  1910 "Coon card" depicting a black man consuming a watermelon

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  "Coon card" from 1911, with the title "You can plainly see how miserable I am"

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  "Whar De Watermelon Grow", sheet music of an 1898 minstrel song