Sister Citizen

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by Melissa V. Harris-Perry

The sexual lasciviousness of Jezebel, Mammy's devotion, and Sapphire's outspoken wrath are just a few of the stereotypes that black women face in today's America. Such images, which are both hurtful and dishonest, place African American women in a virtual crooked room that shames them and alters their experiences as citizens. Many people respond by developing a strong persona that convinces everyone, including themselves, that they do not require assistance. As a result, black women's specific political challenges are frequently overlooked and sidelined.

Melissa V. Harris-Perry employs a variety of methods of inquiry in this ground-breaking book, including literary analysis, political theory, focus groups, surveys, and experimental research, to better understand black women's political and emotional responses to pervasive negative race and gender images. Sister Citizen is not a standard political science book about running for office, voting, or ideology; instead, it examines how African American women identify themselves as citizens and what they anticipate from political activity. From the nameless survivors of Hurricane Katrina to the present First Lady of the United States, Harris-Perry demonstrates how the shared fight to maintain an authentic self and obtain acknowledgment as a citizen binds black women in America.

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Loss of social standing is an ever-present threat for individuals whose social acceptance is based on behavioral traits rather than unconditional human value.

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Loss of social standing is an ever-present threat for individuals whose social acceptance is based on behavioral traits rather than unconditional human value.

— Melissa V. Harris-Perry, Sister Citizen