Black Woman to Black Woman – Realizing Personal Bias

Black Woman to Black Woman

Have you ever looked at a person and made up your mind about them without a direct exchange? Have you created a judgment solely based on their appearance? Think for a moment. Afterwards, if you can honestly say 'yes I have,' then you have projected a personal bias onto another. This is a case of implicit bias. It is also known as unconscious bias. It's a second nature shortcut your mind uses based on what it has already experienced. This is contrary to the deliberately expressed explicit bias, commonly used by sexists, racists, colorists, or even exclusive brands. implicit bias is hard to pinpoint without deep reflection, with it often never acknowledged at all.

Implicit biases are unconscious preconceived opinions and judgments. They are usually made from your past personal experiences. These are ideals you have been conditioned to believe throughout your lived environment. These influences impact decisions you make towards other people, driving your decision-making process in social situations. Would you talk to a stranger? Would you give a friendly smile? Would you be vulnerable enough to start a friendship with another Black woman? As a self identifying Black Woman, take a moment to look at the relationships within this group. Can you see evidence of intra-group bias among other self identifying Black Women?

People naturally seek out comfort and community through similarities they find in others. As a result, all groups of people experience some form of intra-group bias. With Black people, specifically Black American people, our perceived identity was originally decided for us. This occurred in a country built on the oppression of groups outside of the self proclaimed dominant race and gender. Centuries of U.S. racism, discrimination, and prejudice against Black Americans affect today's American society. Members of other marginalized groups follow suit as well as to not be seen as the lowest class. For example, out-group members look more favorably upon light-skinned Black Americans who they perceive to emulate whiteness Alexander, T. 2021.

The internalization of racism on Black Americans is clear through personality stereotypes. It is also seen in colorism and hair texturism. Research shows that colorism is a pervasive force within the black community. Not only are the effects of colorism harmful economically, but they also can lead to significant emotional and mental distress. (Alexander, T. (2021)) Major intragroup divisions are still prevalent today. Internalized racism is the primary cause of personal in group bias in the Black American community. Internalized oppression can arise from any form of systematic prejudice. It often relates to social identities with master status, or those that serve as a person's primary identifying demographic.(S. Cook (2020))

The stereotypes that are commonly linked to Black American Women that were born from systemic oppression are still relevant today. These stereotypes affect Black Woman and Girls in school, the workplace, family dynamics, dating experiences, friendships, peers, and within themselves. The most common stereotype placed on Black Women is the strong black woman stereotype. It tends to ignore humanistic characteristics. This leaves Black American women to be viewed as super beings rather than human. It is also correlated with emotional and psychological distress. (Godbolt, D., Opara, I., & Utah-Onukagha, N. (2022))

6 Stereotypes Black Women face from outside groups and within intra-group dynamics:

Angry Black Woman

The angry Black woman stereotype was a means to dismiss a Black women’s concerns by invalidating her ideas and opinions. This stereotype often affects Black women in the workplace. They are viewed more negatively than others when voicing concerns. They assert themselves as others would in a professional setting. Within the Black Woman’s intragroup, this stereotype is used as a character trait. It describes Black women as having a bad attitude. They are portrayed as people who curse, fight, and are generally unkind. They are also described as hard to get along with. This stereotype often affects darker complexion Black woman on more occasions and has been internalized within the group. (Quote example). Having a resting face has become a common defense mechanism. Black women use it against other Black Women to communicate they’re not to be messed with.  

Jezebel

This stereotype originated from the normalized sexual violence inflicted on black woman during slavery. This violence is reinforced in some depictions of rap music lyrics or music videos. This stereotype largely affects Black girls. Adultifacation causes Black girls to be viewed as more mature than their white peers. The results of this stereotype leads to Black girls and Black women receiving less protection and support in society. As well as young Black girls and women having an earlier responsibility of knowing better, ending childhood.

Strong Black Woman/ Superwoman 

Also originating from slavery, Black women were thought to not experience neither emotional nor physical pain. Medical advancements were made by doctors performing medical procedures on Black enslaved women without anesthesia. workplaces will assign heavier workloads to Black women employees because they feel they can handle it. It's common place to comfort Black women who are experiencing stressful circumstances with remarks like "You're a strong black woman!""You got this! You are strong!" This lack of empathy causes other Black women to neglect their community. They do not check in on each other during difficult times. Instead having a type of tough love approach towards one another. Exemplified in parent child relationship, a parent will want their child to struggle in the same manner as them causing a traumatic cycle of "fairness."

Lazy Black Woman/ Welfare Queen

This stereotype is a form of reverse psychology. It pushes black women to work harder. They feel the need to earn their keep. Black women are still paid less on the dollar compared to men and women of other races. Yet, they have extremely high rates of burnout at work. They are often pressured to outperform their co-workers while also at times experiencing emotional distress in the workplace. This stereotype is enforced within intragroup dynamics. The popular phrase "you'll have to work twice as hard..." is upheld. This stereotype led to intragroup elitism. It reserves respect for those that are more established and discourages others from trying to win too.

Mean Black Girl

The "mean black girl" stereotype is a damaging social stereotype. It portrays Black women, particularly young women, as aggressive, hostile, or confrontational. This stereotype is part of a broader set of negative perceptions. These perceptions are often linked to racism and misogyny. They can influence how Black women are perceived and treated in various aspects of their lives. Media representations have perpetuated this stereotype. They highlight Black women as angry or aggressive. This portrayal is often without context or justification. Such portrayals can be found in television, film, and social media. Black women expressing frustration might be unfairly labeled as "mean." On the other hand, assertiveness in others might be seen as normal or even positive. Black women may feel pressure to moderate their behavior to avoid being stereotyped.

Ghetto Black Girl

The "ghetto Black girl" stereotype is a harmful and reductive caricature that portrays Black women from urban, often economically disadvantaged backgrounds in a negative light. This stereotype is deeply rooted in racism and classism. Black women from lower-income areas are judged and discriminated against based on their environment and socio-economic status. It contributes to negative perceptions that influence societal treatment, including in employment, education, and the justice system. It reduces the vast diversity within Black communities to simplistic tropes, failing to recognize the varied experiences, cultures, and identities that exist within these communities. For those who internalize these stereotypes, it can affect self-esteem and identity, leading some to either distance themselves from their cultural heritage or feel pressure to conform to these narrow definitions. The pressure to conform can also come from intragroup influences. Young Black girls that do not conform to certain ideals sometimes can face bullying and isolation from their peers. These Black girls and women tend to be labeled as awkward or accused of wanting to be white during childish taunts.

In Conclusion

Navigating through societal and community expectations as a Black woman is challenging. It often involves confronting a myriad of biases and stereotypes. These issues obscure our individuality and complexity. Within our own communities, cultural norms can sometimes impose rigid expectations that may not align with our personal identities. Externally, pervasive stereotypes—rooted in historical prejudices—seek to confine us within limiting narratives of aggression or resilience bereft of vulnerability. Each day, we resist these reductive portrayals, advocating for our right to define who we are. Through scholarship, activism, and personal resolve, we continue to dismantle these barriers, fostering a world where the full spectrum of our experiences is acknowledged and celebrated.

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When you see your sis, say good morning to her…

References 

Alexander, T. (2021). INTERNALIZED RACISM AND GENDERED COLORISM AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS: A STUDY OF INTRA-GROUP BIAS, PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING (Version 1). ProQuest. https://doi.org/10.57912/23857659.v1

S. Cook, E., , MS. (2020). Creation of the Internalized Misogynoir Measure: a qualitative approach to designing an intersectional tool for use with Black women. the Department of Applied Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the field of Counseling Psychology Northeastern University.

Godbolt, D., Opara, I., & Amutah-Onukagha, N. (2022). Strong Black Women: Linking Stereotypes, Stress, and Overeating Among a Sample of Black Female College Students. Journal of black studies, 53(6), 609–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/00219347221087453