Graduation Date
2001
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Jennifer L. Eichsteddt
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Donna Schafer
Keywords
Sociology
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
A number of prominent black feminist writers including bell hooks (1990), Audre Lorde (1984), Angela Davis (1998), and Deborah King (1995) discuss “multiplicity” or “intersectionality.” These terms describe the concept that black women in the United States do not simply experience the effects of race plus gender plus class; rather, black women deal with racism multiplied by sexism multiplied by classism. Similarly, black women are socially located at the intersection of race, class, and gender. In this study, I focus on how racism and sexism impact black women’s lives. In an open-ended survey, I asked 14 black women about their perspectives on and experiences with racism and sexism. The women offered information about how racism and sexism are often difficult to see on individual levels, but can be found hiding in our nation’s institutions. The educational system, the criminal justice system and the media were commonly noted as institutions that hide yet promote racism. The women also commented on how we, as black folks, sometimes internalize racism and behave in stereotypical ways while losing the sense of trust that we once had with each other. Furthermore, the respondents commented on the qualities they possess or that black women need to have in order to be resilient to their potentially devastating experiences at the intersection of multiple oppressions.
Recommended Citation
Washington, Lael E., "Black Women at the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Class: How These Issues Affect our Lives and How We Deal With Them" (2001). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2440.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2440