Negotiating Identity: Black Female Identity Construction in a Predominantly-White Suburban Context

Abstract

This paper presents a qualitative multiple-case study of Black teenage girls in a predominantly-White suburban neighborhood. After reviewing existing literature on Black girls and the Black middle class, the article discusses how an intersectional framework based on Black feminism is used to illuminate how Black girls in the study navigate their environment. This study illustrates that race and racism has a significant effect on the girl’s daily life, through experiences with other students, school structure and policies, and teacher perceptions. Results indicate the need for further study of the Black experience in predominantly-White environments, with specific attention to the lives of Black girls.