What are the similarities and differences in how black American women and black British women of African descent and Caribbean descent experience racism?

Norwood, Carlette (2024). What are the similarities and differences in how black American women and black British women of African descent and Caribbean descent experience racism? University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Black women have significant and impactful traumatic experiences of racism that are often ignored (comparable to black men), and there are almost no comparative studies exploring black women’s experiences of racism in different contexts. This study examines the similarities and differences in how black women in the United States and England experience racism. The study builds upon the theoretical frameworks of historical trauma theory, microaggression theory, and everyday racism and interconnects them through the lens of black women. Mixed methods were used for data collection.

A survey was conducted as a recruitment tool to gather participants and collect pertinent demographical data. Demographical data were collected from 114 black American women and 80 black British women of African descent and Caribbean descent. Focus group and interview participants were selected from the survey respondents; 30 women gave consent to participate—12 black American women and 18 black British women. Thematic analysis was applied to the findings and resulted in five major themes. Major findings discussed in the thesis include historical racial trauma from childhood to adulthood, frequency of experiences of racism and the most common locales of occurrences, and black women’s resilience.

Areas identified for further research include: expanding literature as it relates to black women’s experiences of racism, comparatively, and experiences of racism by black women with white mothers.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):