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Book Cover
E-book
Author Harris-Perry, Melissa V. (Melissa Victoria), 1973- author.

Title Sister citizen : shame, stereotypes, and Black women in America / Melissa V. Harris-Perry
Published New Haven : Yale University Press, ©2011
New Haven : Yale University Press, 2011
©2011

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Description 1 online resource (xiv, 378 pages) : illustrations
Contents "The hurricane," from Their eyes were watching God / Zora Neale Hurston -- "The Bridge poem" / Kate Rushin -- Crooked room -- Myth -- "Resisting the shame of Shug Avery," from The color purple / Alice Walker -- Shame -- Disaster -- "No mirrors in my Nana's house" / Sweet Honey in the Rock, lyrics by Ysaye Maria Barnwell -- Strength -- God -- "Praise song for the day" / Elizabeth Alexander -- Michelle
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
Notes "For colored girls who've considered politics when being strong isn't enough."--Cover
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject African American women -- Politics and government
African American women -- Political activity
African American women -- Psychology -- Political aspects
Stereotypes (Social psychology) -- United States
African American women -- Social conditions
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Women's Studies.
African American women -- Political activity
African American women -- Social conditions
Stereotypes (Social psychology)
United States
Genre/Form dissertations.
Academic theses
Academic theses.
Thèses et écrits académiques.
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2011015860
ISBN 9780300165548
0300165544