"This Emmy Award-winning documentary reveals the origins of the dehumanizing African-American stereotypes found in popular culture, from the Antebellum period to the era of the civil rights movement. Loyal Uncle Toms, carefree Sambos, faithful Mammies, grinning fools, savage brutes, and wide-eyed "pickaninnies" roll across the screen in cartoons, feature films, popular songs, minstrel shows, advertisements, folklore, household artifacts, even children's rhymes. Narrated by Esther Rolle and with scholarly commentary throughout, the film is a direct challenge to those who say, "It's just a joke."--Website.