Watermelon season is almost over. It was once a symbol of pride for freed slaves, but it's since taken on all kinds of racial meanings. We talk about the fruit's history as a racist stereotype with Pat Turner, a professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She's also author of the book, "Ceramic Uncles and Celluloid Mammies: Black Images and Their Influence."

 Examples of watermelons in the media being used as a racial stereotype:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2-4a_QXlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB5AMQslyC0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sls5H4xVHys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYjkAkJNBNM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m43s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4-Hn6QT2yI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnTZipv03M

Tags: watermelon  UCLA  Pat Turner  racism  history