In 2018, Meghan Markle, a highly accomplished American actress known for her prominent role in the popular US tv series "Suits," concluded her nuptials with Prince Harry. This ceremony signified her elevation to royalty, and while her millionaire status remained unaltered, she was bestowed a distinguished new title- and social standing. Despite this, the ensuing months were marred by relentless and invasive scrutiny from the British media, who delved deeply into her troubled upbringing, her estranged father's addiction struggles, her prior divorce, her financial motives, and, most significantly, her biracial background. To them, these factors appeared to signify her incongruity with the royal family.This scrutiny reached its zenith when a British tv presenter authored the now-infamous column, in which, he derogatorily expressed a desire to bear witness to the Duchess of Sussex paraded through the streets of Britain while crowds jeered and threw faeces at her naked body in humiliating public spectacle. In his justifications, revealed just a few lines earlier, the columnist wrote, it was “obvious” to him (as it should everyone) that this Black Woman had used her persuasive bedroom abilities to turn the duke, into what he termed a “warrior of woke”. These caricatures, “Mammy”, “Sapphire”, “Jezebel”, “Welfare Queen” and “Superwoman” are rooted in this country’s legacy of chattel slavery. This media project seeks to open a dialogue about the implications of such dehumanising caricatures centring the individual behaviour and experience of the modern Black Women.

In 1851, abolitionist Sojourner Truth delivered 'Ain’t I a woman' at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, advocating for the rights of all women, including enslaved Black women. Despite her lack of formal education as a former slave, her words resonated with clarity, highlighting the dual effects of racism and sexism. Truth's speech shed light on the contrasting treatment of Black women compared to their white counterparts under the patriarchy, portraying white women as delicate and fragile while dehumanising Black women with harmful stereotypes. This racist dichotomy distorted perceptions and rationalised abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation, denying dignity to Black women.

'Archetypes' explores the power of oral storytelling among Black women, inspired by contemporary artists like slam poets Shay the Poet and Ebony Stewart. Meghan Markle's podcast, "Archetypes," sheds light on her public struggles with mental health, highlighting broader issues faced by Black women and the need to deconstruct harmful narratives like Jezebel and Mammy. Through interviews, the project captures diverse Black female experiences, complemented by archival media providing historical context. Visual and audio elements weave a tapestry of stories, reflecting the beauty and complexity of Black Womanhood. Drawing from West African practices, the project challenges stereotypes while celebrating diversity, aiming to showcase the richness of Black female experiences and depart from entrenched archetypal portrayals.

The film explores the interplay between our complex past and present without dictating viewers' perspectives. It invites audiences to uncover layers of meaning with each viewing, reflecting the multifaceted experiences of Black women. Fundamentally, it tells a story about the commodification and satirisation of Black women’s bodies and voices in the media, shedding light on the dehumanisation that denies their multiplicity. The rhythmic echoes of our foremothers guide viewers through this exploration.