Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

African American Studies Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

11,832 Full-Text Articles 5,680 Authors 5,775,614 Downloads 252 Institutions

Popular Articles

Based on downloads in April 2024

Malcolm X, Bridgewater State University

Malcolm X

Massachusetts Hall of Black Achievement

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, NE. His mother, Louise Norton Little, was a homemaker occupied with the family’s eight children. His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and avid supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. In 1929, their Lansing, MI, home was burned to the ground. Two years later, Earl’s body was found lying across the town’s trolley tracks. Louise suffered an emotional breakdown several years after the death of her husband, was institutionalized, and her children were split up amongst various foster homes and orphanages.

Malcolm was a smart, …

Go to article

Her-Story: Black, Middle-School Girls Exploring Their Intersectional Identities, Crystal Latanya Edwards University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Her-Story: Black, Middle-School Girls Exploring Their Intersectional Identities, Crystal Latanya Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

While intra-racial-group comparisons have lead scholars to argue that Black girls are succeeding academically and therefore require less explicit focus in educational research, there is little literature that focuses on the ways that Black girls’ experiences in formal educational spaces shape their emotional wellbeing and sense of intersectional identity—specifically, from their own perspectives (Paul, 2003; Townsend, Thomas, Neilands, and Jackson, 2010). In recognizing this relative invisibility, my research redirects focus to obstacles that typically go relatively unnoticed and unaddressed. Utilizing focus groups and diary/follow-up interviews as methods, I explore the subjective experience of Black girls within the educational context. Placing …

Go to article

Black Men Who Betray Their Race: 20th Century Literary Representations Of The Black Male Race Traitor, Gregory Coleman University of Massachusetts Amherst

Black Men Who Betray Their Race: 20th Century Literary Representations Of The Black Male Race Traitor, Gregory Coleman

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation, Black Men Who Betray Their Race, gathers a literary archive in order to identify and introduce the “race traitor” as a heretofore unrecognized yet important trope within 20th century African-American Literature. In addition to coping with the burden of racism, African Americans have had to put considerable energy toward negotiating the possibility of being perceived as race traitors by others within the African American community. This study tracks the possibilities and perils of black group identity in literary representations of black men, neither privileging opposition to the white world, nor celebrating black unity beyond it. Focusing …

Go to article

Opinion Editorial: Why Is It That So Many White People Fear Black Men?, Dmitri C. Westbrook Grand Valley State University

Opinion Editorial: Why Is It That So Many White People Fear Black Men?, Dmitri C. Westbrook

College Student Affairs Leadership

Why is it that so Many White People Fear Black Men?

Go to article

The Colonial Roots Of The Racial Fetishization Of Black Women, Caren M. Holmes College of Wooster

The Colonial Roots Of The Racial Fetishization Of Black Women, Caren M. Holmes

Black & Gold

In my research, I examined the history of sexual debasement and abuse of black women throughout American history and its influence of modern racial fetishization. In my paper, I explore the influence of European colonial thought on these modern realities. I argue that the conquest and feminization of the New World led to the dehumanization and conquest of African women who were perceived by colonialists to be byproducts of manifest destiny. My research reflects how the sexual debasement experienced by black women throughout American history has led to the racial fetishization prevalent today. I also consider how this history of …

Go to article

"Because God Said So": A Thematic Analysis Of Why People Denounce Black Greek-Letter Organizations, Mea Ashley Antioch University - PhD Program in Leadership and Change

"Because God Said So": A Thematic Analysis Of Why People Denounce Black Greek-Letter Organizations, Mea Ashley

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

Today, Black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) struggle to use empirical data to address financial burden, elitism, hazing, relevance in social justice issues, and the anti-BGLO movement. The anti-BGLO movement frames this study. The movement stems from beliefs that secret societies, fraternities, and sororities are anti-Christian. Society will continue to question the relevance and importance of BGLOs if they cannot overcome the issues plaguing them. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to ascertain why members are leaving BGLOs, in case the organizations find the anti-BGLO movement to be a threat to organizational vitality. Through thematic analysis, 18 YouTube testimonials from denouncers …

Go to article

The Hidden Help : Black Domestic Workers In The Civil Rights Movement., Trena Easley Armstrong University of Louisville

The Hidden Help : Black Domestic Workers In The Civil Rights Movement., Trena Easley Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the 1960's, nearly ninety percent of black women in the South worked as domestic servants. While much has been written depicting the dehumanizing and exploitative conditions in which they lived, their contributions to human rights garnered from their subtle acts of resistance and specifically, their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, has either been undocumented or documented quite minimally. Despite their historical roles and socioeconomic disadvantages, their reach for human agency was beneficial to society. This thesis examines their labor as domestic workers and their participation in the Civil Rights Movement using the qualitative research method of interviews and …

Go to article

1960 English Golliwogg Doll, Langston University

1960 English Golliwogg Doll

Eva Freeman-Lewis Doll Collection

English Golliwogg Doll. Series I, Box 1

16” high 6½” wide

1960

Europe

Cloth

The Golliwogg doll comes from the book, "The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg". A product of the blackface and minstrel tradition, the Golliwog has jet-black skin, a tall thin build, bright red lips, bulging eyes and wild woolly hair. He wears clothes that are common for the minstrel singer, a short red coat and long red and white striped pants. The Golliwogg has been seen as a negative stereotype of peoples of the African Diaspora in Europe since the 1890’s. This particular doll …

Go to article

Justifying Injustice: How Caricatured Depictions Of African Americans Impacted Worldwide Perception, Jaida Noble University of Washington Tacoma

Justifying Injustice: How Caricatured Depictions Of African Americans Impacted Worldwide Perception, Jaida Noble

Global Honors Theses

Despite racist depictions of African Americans in art seeming to be behind us, the consequences of such representation, including the baggage of stereotypes alongside them, live on. This paper will argue that the racist caricaturing of Black people throughout history has been used as a form of propaganda, affecting the overall perception of African Americans and influencing policies that have determined them as belonging to the lower levels of the American caste system.

Go to article

Bodies Without The Burden: White Appropriation And Exploitation Of Black Appearance And Culture, Marisa E. Balanda Gettysburg College

Bodies Without The Burden: White Appropriation And Exploitation Of Black Appearance And Culture, Marisa E. Balanda

Student Publications

Critiques of cultural appropriation in regards to inappropriate Halloween costumes and the phenomenon of Instagram models “black-fishing” their followers are more prevalent now than ever before, but white exploitation of black culture and appearance is nothing new. In academia, the term “cultural appropriation” describes how aspects of a marginalized group’s culture are taken by those in a dominant group without regard to their cultural significance. In her chapter, “Black Culture Without Black People,” Imani Kai Johnson refers to appropriation as “colonialism at the scale of the dancing body or the sacred ritual object, its life and dynamism reduced to a …

Go to article

All Articles in African American Studies

Faceted Search

11,832 full-text articles. Page 1 of 265.

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy 2024 National Louis University

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy

Dissertations

This phenomenological study involved assessing the experiences of Black therapists who engaged Black clients in outdoor therapeutic contexts. The study was founded on the existing literature that shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal for client retention and the Western standards that have historically favored treatment within indoor environments. To contextualize this research, a comprehensive literature review was commenced, covering topics such as the decolonization of therapy, the historical and present-day relationship between Blacks and the outdoors in the United States, sedentary lifestyles, the psychological benefits of time spent in nature, various types of outdoor therapy, and the …

Go to article

A Journey To A Black Woman’S (Read Black Girl’S) Joy And Her Story Of Coming Home, Brittany Lauren Brock 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York

A Journey To A Black Woman’S (Read Black Girl’S) Joy And Her Story Of Coming Home, Brittany Lauren Brock

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This is an auto/ethnography about the self-actualizing journey of reclaiming storytelling as my native tongue and my journey to joy. Throughout, using my story and the stories of so many others, I not only lay out the wounds (the pain, the loss, then the hope that comes) within the academy and outside in the world but I also use storytelling as a tool of healing—my tool of healing—to show how I wrote myself free.

When Black women (read Black girls) go through The Reckoning (the moment we realize something isn’t right with how we are perceived by others) …

Go to article

The Four Seasons: Integrating The Big Four Sports, Joseph S. Brody 2024 The Graduate Center, City University of New York

The Four Seasons: Integrating The Big Four Sports, Joseph S. Brody

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

After World War II, even though many African Americans served their country, policies of segregation were rampant throughout the United States of America. The aim of this Capstone is two-fold. First, to shed light on the men who followed the path of Jackie Robinson and give them their due. The most appropriate way to convey my research of these four athletes was by putting them all in the same fictional setting and discussing their trials and tribulations that made them the men they were in their day. Second, I want to highlight the many things I found in my research …

Go to article

Artistic Expression Of Medical Experiences Of Mothers Of Color: Perspectives Using Art Therapy, Lauren Barrett 2024 Lesley University

Artistic Expression Of Medical Experiences Of Mothers Of Color: Perspectives Using Art Therapy, Lauren Barrett

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perspectives of mothers of color living in the US and their experiences in the healthcare system through art therapy. The study aimed to further identify personal narrative experiences of mothers of color navigating the healthcare system, promote individual voices, and acknowledge disparities impacting those within marginalized communities. The participants in this study included a total of eight identified mothers of color (non-White) living in the US. Participants took part in four weeks of consecutive art therapy sessions either in 60-minute group or individual virtual meetings. One art therapy directive was provided …

Go to article

Membership Card, Voters League, 2024 University of North Florida

Membership Card, Voters League

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

Card: Blank membership card for the Voters League, Jacksonville League, Jacksonville, Florida, Duval County. No date given.

Go to article

Newsclipping, Benefit Concert, Odd Fellows' Temple, 2024 University of North Florida

Newsclipping, Benefit Concert, Odd Fellows' Temple

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Notice of benefit concert in Odd Fellows' Temple given by the Colored Citizens' Protective League. Program directed by Miss Eartha M. White. No date given.

Go to article

Membership Drive Form, Colored Branch Young Woman Christian Association, 2024 University of North Florida

Membership Drive Form, Colored Branch Young Woman Christian Association

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

Form: Blank membership form and membership fee pledge for Y.W.C.A., Jacksonville, Florida. No date given.

Go to article

Newsclipping, Notice Of Meeting Of Patrons Of Community Affairs, 2024 University of North Florida

Newsclipping, Notice Of Meeting Of Patrons Of Community Affairs

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Notice in the Jacksonville Journal calling all principals, patrons, boy and girl patrols of the city to meet at the Clara White Mission, 611 West Ashley Street, Jacksonville, Florida. Handwritten note stating the date as April 30, 1941, but the Jamboree was canceled during World War II, article was most likely from an earlier date. Circa 1937.

Go to article

Newsclipping, Playground For Negroes Will Be Secured At Once, 2024 University of North Florida

Newsclipping, Playground For Negroes Will Be Secured At Once

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Report of the City Playground Commission meeting. Handwritten note on fron states Metropolis, April 28, 19--? Metropolis renamed Jacksonville Journal in 1922. Eartha White was on the committee - see paragraph one. No date given.

Go to article

Letter From John W. Gregg To Eartha White, John W. Gregg 2024 University of North Florida

Letter From John W. Gregg To Eartha White, John W. Gregg

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

Correspondence: Letter from John W. Gregg, Midway, Florida, to Eartha M.M. White, Jacksonville, Florida, regarding adoption appeal for a boy 3-7 years of age. Envelope included. Date: November 16, 1931.

Go to article

Letter From Sterling Name Tape Company To Orphans' And Industrial Home, Sterling Name Tape Company 2024 University of North Florida

Letter From Sterling Name Tape Company To Orphans' And Industrial Home, Sterling Name Tape Company

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

Correspondence: Advertisement letter from Sterling Name Tape Company, Winsted, Connectiicut to Orphans and Industrial Home, Jacksonville, Florida, regarding samples and order form for washable name tape used in institutions. Envelope included. Handwritten notes on back of envelope. No date given.

Go to article

Paper, Diet Suggestions For The Growing Child Paper, 2024 University of North Florida

Paper, Diet Suggestions For The Growing Child Paper

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

Document: Typed paper listing diet suggestions for a growing child. Handwritten note on back. No date given.

Go to article

Newsclipping, Big Convention Is [Secured] For City By [Fagg], 2024 University of North Florida

Newsclipping, Big Convention Is [Secured] For City By [Fagg]

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding the annual meeting of the Southern division of the National Children's Home Societies organization to be held in Jacksonville, Florida through the efforts of Marcus Fagg, superintendent of the Children's Home Society of Florida, and Colonel Robert Tyler. Receipt from Daylight Grocery Company included. No date given.

Go to article

H. L. Glover- St. Augustine Water Works, July 7, 1937, 2024 University of North Florida

H. L. Glover- St. Augustine Water Works, July 7, 1937

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

No abstract provided.

Go to article

Payments From Roa Holmes Walker, 1930-1937, 2024 University of North Florida

Payments From Roa Holmes Walker, 1930-1937

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Documents: Checks written from account with The Atlantic National Bank of Jacksonville, from R.H. Walker funeral director from 1930 and 1935-1937. Most checks made out to Fannie Glover.

Go to article

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1933, 2024 University of North Florida

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1933

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Documents: St. Augustine Water Works bills from August 5th and December 6th sent to H.L.Glover, 123 Palmo St, St. Augustine, Florida. Marked paid. Handwritten notations on back.

Go to article

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1934, 2024 University of North Florida

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1934

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Documents: St. Augustine Water Works bills sent to H.L.Glover, 123 Palmo St, St. Augustine, Florida. Marked paid.

Go to article

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1935, 2024 University of North Florida

St. Augustine Water Works Invoices, 1935

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Documents: St. Augustine Water Works bills sent to H.L.Glover, 123 Palmo St, St. Augustine, Florida. Marked paid.

Go to article

The John H. Denmark Furniture Company Payment Receipts, 1934-1937, 2024 University of North Florida

The John H. Denmark Furniture Company Payment Receipts, 1934-1937

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Document: Payment documentation for rental contract accounts for The John H. Denmark Furniture Company. Paid by Fannie Glover.

Go to article

Handwritten To-Do List, 2024 University of North Florida

Handwritten To-Do List

Glover Family Papers, 1871-1937

Note: Handwritten list of items to pick up from the store and to reminder to pay bill. Circa 1930-1937.

Go to article

Popular Institutions

Based on downloads in April 2024

Gettysburg College

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Antioch University

Virginia Commonwealth University

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Old Dominion University

City University of New York (CUNY)

William & Mary

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Featured Publications

Popular Authors

Based on downloads in April 2024

Crystal Edwards University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Gregory Coleman University of Massachusetts Amherst

Dmitri Westbrook Grand Valley State University

Caren Holmes College of Wooster

Mea Ashley Antioch University - PhD Program in Leadership and Change

Jaida Noble University of Washington Tacoma

Allen Guelzo Gettysburg College

Marisa Balanda Gettysburg College

Haley Manis East Tennessee State University

Gabor Boritt Gettysburg College

Digital Commons powered by bepress