How were African Americans portrayed in the early 19th century?

In the early 19th century, African Americans were often portrayed as inferior and subhuman, largely due to the pervasive institution of slavery and widespread racial stereotypes. Media, literature, and popular culture frequently depicted them as lazy, unintelligent, or overly emotional, reinforcing racist ideologies. While some abolitionist literature began to challenge these views, the dominant narrative still marginalized African Americans and denied them agency and humanity. This period laid the groundwork for systemic racism that persisted long after slavery was abolished.