Controlling Narratives: Expanding on Patricia Hill Collins’ “Controlling Images”

Your thoughts are not your own

In her groundbreaking work, Black Feminist Thought (1989), sociologist Patricia Hill Collins introduced the concept of “controlling images.” These are stereotypical and often dehumanizing representations of Black women used to justify systemic oppression. Collins argued that these images—like the “Mammy,” “Jezebel,” and “Welfare Queen”—are tools of power, designed to perpetuate racism, sexism, and classism. They shape public perception and keep oppressive systems in place.

As I’ve reflected on Collins’ theory, I’ve realized that the concept of “controlling images” used to articulate the ways in which Black American women and Black women in America are perceived, extends into the broader realm of narratives—stories told at scale to shape how we collectively see the world, the policies and politicians we support, and it actively limits our ability to believe the truth of Black women in the world. In this essay, I want to introduce the term “controlling narratives” and explore how they function in tandem with controlling images to reinforce exploitative systems.

What Are Controlling Narratives?

Controlling narratives are stories or frameworks strategically crafted by powerful entities and influencers—like media conglomerates, political leaders, celebrities and corporations—to protect their interests or the interests of those they are beholden. These narratives distort reality, shift blame, and justify inequality, often targeting marginalized groups.

While controlling images define how Black women are seen, and can be applied to other groups (muslims) controlling narratives frame how events, ideas, and societal norms are understood. They work hand-in-hand to uphold systems of power by reinforcing stereotypes, masking the root causes of injustice, and keeping public discourse superficial.

Examples of Controlling Narratives

1. The “Self-Made Success” Myth
   This narrative tells us that anyone can succeed with enough hard work, ignoring systemic barriers like racism, sexism, and wealth inequality. It shifts the blame for poverty and struggle onto individuals, rather than addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate them.

2. The “Good Protester vs. Bad Protester” Framework
   When Black communities advocate for justice, controlling narratives frame peaceful protests as acceptable but portray uprisings as criminal. This dichotomy ignores the history of violence against Black people and dismisses the legitimate rage of marginalized communities.

3. “Black-on-Black Crime” as a Deflection
   Rather than addressing systemic issues like over-policing, underfunded schools, and economic disenfranchisement, this narrative shifts focus to intra-community violence. It creates a false equivalence and obscures the structural causes of harm in Black communities.

4. The “Empowering Hyper-Sexualization” Narrative This narrative promotes the idea that hyper-sexual and misogynistic rap—often celebrated for its rawness and “truth-telling”—is empowering when women adopt the same explicit content and presentation. It argues that such performances are liberating expressions of sexuality, art, and power. However, when Black people express concern about how this content aligns with controlling images like the “Jezebel,” these critiques are often dismissed as prudish, respectability politics, or simply “hating.” Controlling narratives frame these valid cultural critiques as betrayals of Black creativity or progressiveness, rather than recognizing them as efforts to protect the integrity of Black cultural values. This narrative disempowers us as a community by shutting down critical discussions about how these images impact Black identity, particularly for youth. It denies us the agency to decide for ourselves what cultural outputs uplift us versus those that harmfully reinforce the very stereotypes Patricia Hill Collins warned us about.By framing genuine concern for the shifts within Black culture as antagonistic or regressive, this controlling narrative keeps us from reflecting on how the commodification of Black art and identity serves external interests, rather than our own.

The Purpose of Controlling Narratives

Like controlling images, controlling narratives aren’t accidental. They’re intentional tools of power, designed to:

• Distract: Shift attention away from systemic inequities.

• Dehumanize: Reduce marginalized groups to stereotypes or scapegoats.

• Divide: Foster mistrust within and between communities.

• Maintain Power: Prevent collective action by fragmenting public understanding of injustice.

Resisting Controlling Narratives

To resist controlling narratives, we must reclaim storytelling as a tool for truth and liberation. Remember Grios?! This means:

1. Centering Marginalized Voices
   Listen to those whose stories are often erased or distorted. Whether through books, podcasts, or community conversations, amplify narratives that challenge dominant frameworks.

2. Practicing Media Literacy
   Ask critical questions: Who benefits from this narrative? What’s being left out? Developing a critical eye helps us see through the stories designed to mislead us.

3. Reaffirming Cultural Values
   Controlling narratives often disconnect us from the wisdom of our ancestors and the richness of our traditions. By re-centering authentic Black American culture—our values, histories, and practices—we create a foundation for resistance.

Why This Matters

As a social scientist and creator of Loving Lens, my mission is to explore the frameworks that shape our collective understanding and challenge the distortions that harm our communities. By engaging frameworks like controlling narratives, we can better understand how systems of power operate—and how we can dismantle them.

Patricia Hill Collins gave us the tools to analyze controlling images, and I hope this expansion into controlling narratives deepens the conversation. Let’s reclaim the power of storytelling, honor our truths, and work together to build a more equitable future.