Sister citizen : shame, stereotypes, and Black women in America / Melissa V. Harris-Perry.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harris-Perry, Melissa V. (Melissa Victoria), 1973-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African American women--Politics and government.

African American women.

African American women--Political activity.

African American women--Psychology--Political aspects.

Stereotypes (Social psychology)--United States.

Stereotypes (Social psychology).

African American women--Social conditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Jezebel's sexual lasciviousness, Mammy's devotion, and Sapphire's outspoken anger -- these are among the most persistent stereotypes that black women encounter in contemporary American life. Hurtful and dishonest, such representations force African American women to navigate a virtual crooked room that shames them and shapes their experiences as citizens. Many respond by assuming a mantle of strength that may convince others, and even themselves, that they do not need help. But as a result, the unique political issues of black women are often ignored and marginalized. In this groundbreaking book, Melissa V. Harris-Perry uses multiple methods of inquiry, including literary analysis, political theory, focus groups, surveys, and experimental research, to understand more deeply black women's political and emotional responses to pervasive negative race and gender images. Not a traditional political science work concerned with office-seeking, voting, or ideology, Sister Citizen instead explores how African American women understand themselves as citizens and what they expect from political organizing. Harris-Perry shows that the shared struggle to preserve an authentic self and secure recognition as a citizen links together black women in America, from the anonymous survivors of Hurricane Katrina to the current First Lady of the United States.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Acknowledgments

''The Hurricane,'' from Their Eyes Were Watching God

INTRODUCTION

''The Bridge Poem''

Chapter 2 Myth

Chapter 1 Crooked Room

Resisting the Shame of Shug Avery,'' from The Color Purple

Chapter 3 Shame

Chapter 4 Disaster

''No Mirrors in My Nana's House,'' Sweet Honey in the Rock, lyrics

Chapter 5 Strength

Chapter 6 God

''Praise Song for the Day''

Chapter 7 Michelle

Appendix: Survey Data

Notes

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y.

Notes:

"For colored girls who've considered politics when being strong isn't enough."--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-27985-1

9786613279859

0-300-16554-4

OCLC:

923596564