Dissertation Double Consciousness
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DISSERTATION DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS: THE NEGOTIATION OF THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF IDENTITIES AMONG ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL BLACK WOMEN Submitted by Danielle D. Dickens Department of Psychology In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Summer 2014 Doctoral Committee: Advisor: Ernest Chavez Co Advisor: Lorann Stallones Michelle Foster Louise Jennings Copyright by Danielle D. Dickens 2014 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS: THE NEGOTIATION OF THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF IDENTITIES AMONG ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL BLACK WOMEN Due to educational and professional obstacles, as well as the psychological tolls associated with racism and sexism, Black women may feel pressured to present a self to the world that is viewed as acceptable to others. Through identity negotiation, a conscious process of shifting one’s worldview and/or cultural behaviors (Jackson, 2004), Black women may adopt multiple identities that appease both the White and Black community. The need to investigate the collective identities among Black women using a non-White ideology, such as Black feminist model, is critically needed. The purpose of this investigation was to understand the effect of the negotiation of race, class, and gender identities on Black women’s self-perception, specifically as it relates to their participation in the workforce, and personal and professional relationships. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and the sample consisted of ten academically successful Black women. To be eligible to participate in this study, co-researchers must have met the following criteria: 1) self-identify as a Black/African American woman, 2) recently obtained bachelor’s degree in the past 5 years, 3) currently working in a predominantly White environment, and 4) living in a majority Black urban area. Data from the interviews were classified through identified themes, and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes constructed from the data include: a) the complexity of the intersectionalities of race, gender, and class identities, b) negotiation of identities in predominantly White social and work environments, c) negotiation of identities in a predominantly Black environments, d) triggers for the negotiations of race, class, and gender identities, and e) conflicted anxieties towards ii negotiating identities. The results of this study may be utilized to develop intervention programs that promote positive self-worth, and the development of academic and personal success among Black women aspiring to enter the evolving workforce. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have several people that I would like to acknowledge on this journey to receiving my PhD. First and foremost I would like to thank God for his everlasting love and guidance. I moved to a place for my graduate studies far away from family and friends, just for him to show me that it was him helping me all along. As many times as I wanted to give up and go back home, you always had your guiding hand and love over me. I am humble that I was chosen for such a huge blessing and I know that with this reward comes a huge responsibility. Also, I want to thank each of the Black women who agreed to share their stories and experience. I thank you all for your encouragement and want you to know that you all have helped me personally. To my advisor, Dr. Ernie Chavez, thank you for you taking me in as one of your students and guiding me with your patience and support. I appreciate you always lending your ear and advice to my experiences in academia. I have learned a lot from you that will help me as I continue forward in academia. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you in the future. Dr. Stallones, thank you for your excitement for my topic and encouragement throughout this process. Your kind words and guidance made this dissertation easier to handle. Dr. Foster, you brought me in early on as one of your colleagues and sisters. You always gave such great advice and I am glad to have met you. Dr. Jennings, thank you for your continued support, kind words, and patience. I could not have asked for a better committee. You all have been such a pleasure to work with and I hope to continue to work with you all in the future. I appreciate my family and friends for always being there for me no matter what. To my mom and dad, thank you all for always loving me and for being there for me at the right iv moments. Mom, you are the most loving and giving person I know and I cannot thank you enough for always being there for me and loving me. Dad, thank you for your love and wisdom, and you knew always the right things to say to help me through the tough situations. I hope that I continue to make you all proud! David, thank you for your continued prayers and for your support, and I want you to know that you are the best brother a sister could ask for. To my grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, and other family members, thank you for your love, prayers, and kind words. You all knew the right things to say, at the right time. This was one of the hardest things I have experienced thus far, but you all made it easier to handle. This PhD is not just mine, but all of ours. To my friends and mentors, I thank you all for your countless support. There were times where I wanted to give up, but you all made sure that I did not. I am so appreciative and blessed to have people in my life who care about my overall well being. To my CSU family and friends, thank you for your inspiration and guidance. To all of my countless friends and mentors in Fort Collins, you have changed my life in more ways than one. You have given me guidance, love, and support throughout this time. You all believed in me, when at times I doubted myself. I hope that I have made a lasting impression on you all and I look forward to sharing more successes with you all. To my family away from home, thank you all for taking me in as one of your own. You all have been truly a blessing. In all, I am so blessed to have met you all and I cannot thank you enough for your support throughout this process. v DEDICATION To all Black women in the fight for justice and To my family and friends Thank you for your love and guidance. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 Background Information ............................................................................................................. 2 Statement of Purpose .................................................................................................................. 4 Assumptions ................................................................................................................................ 5 Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 8 Educational and Job Attainment among Black Women ............................................................. 8 Effect of Stereotypes on the Professional Lives of Black Women ........................................... 10 Black Women in the Academy ................................................................................................. 11 Effect of Personal Relationships on Career Achievements ...................................................... 12 Black Female Identity and Self-Concept .................................................................................. 13 Black Feminist Thought ............................................................................................................ 16 Intersectionality ......................................................................................................................... 19 Self-Discrepancy ....................................................................................................................... 23 Identity Development of Black Women ................................................................................... 24 Black Racial Identity Development ...................................................................................... 25 Racialized Gender Identity Development ................................................................................. 26 Class Identity Development .................................................................................................. 28 Influence of Racial and Gender Discrimination on Identity/Self-Concept ............................... 29 Coping Strategies for Dealing with Discrimination .................................................................. 31 Community Support .............................................................................................................. 33 Religious and Spiritual Beliefs ............................................................................................. 34 Identity Negotiation .................................................................................................................