Symbolic Annihilation of Black Women

Rebel Wilson falsely claimed she was the first plus-size woman to play the lead of a romantic comedy. Both Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique starred in such roles. Wilson defended her comment tweeting, “1. Technically those actresses were plus size when filming those movies or 2. Technically those films are categorized/billed [sic] as a studio rom-com with a sole lead.” Wilson’s tweet erased the achievement of two women of color. Both movies were successful but gained little visibility by mainstream White media. She also seemed to block women who attempted to facilitate a discussion regarding race and size in Hollywood.

Questioning whether Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique were technically ahead of her highlights the symbolic annihilation of women of color in Hollywood. The movies both women starred in get labeled as “Black movies” instead of films that embody the experiences of women. The lack of representation for Black women in particular reduces their contributions and further annihilates them from the roles that are open to them.