Phase 2 study attempts to expand on Phase 1 finding that provides evidence that strong ethnic identity serves as a buffer against the negative influence of microaggressions on Black women’s empowerment. To better understand these relationships, a
phenomenological approach to qualitative interviews was used – one that includes in- depth story-based interviews with 8 Black women, essentially to gain insight about their observations, perceptions and lived experiences with Microaggressions, ethnic identity, and psychological empowerment.
Theoretical Framework. Several dominant factors have emerged as contributing factors to enduring racism. Among them include: 1) Inadequate representation and understanding of Black women’s experiences from a historical context and how past ideologies effects present outcome (Burton, 1992). In fact, research shows that fewer than one-tenth of a percentage of the existing literature mentions slave women’s experiences during the slave era (Bridgewater, 2005). 2) There is a lack of policies and resources to address Black women’s unique intersectional challenges with racial discrimination (Crenshaw, 1989). 3) Hierarchy, domination and oppression based on race, class, gender and sexual orientation are ingrained systematic functions of society (Zinn & Dill, 1996).
However, racial discrimination, being a complicated issue requires an extensive, macro-level examination in the lived experiences of Black women and their evolution throughout American history is necessary to fully understand the maelstrom of
intersectional factors related to identity today. In this study, the researcher uses the conceptual framework of depth psychology and W.E.B. Du Bois’ Double Consciousness
Theory (1903) to analyze the complexity of Black women’s struggles with identity in contemporary America. W.E.B. Du Bois’ Double consciousness theory conceives that Black identity is split between different realities that make it difficult, and even impossible for a Black person to have a defined ‘self’ specifically relating to issues of race in the United States.
In fact, Du Bois uses a folklore concept of the ‘seventh son’ to describe Blacks in American society. The seventh son ideology is best understood that a son who is born of a seventh son is gifted with immense powers. This concept makes Du Bois’ comparative analogy of Blacks as a seventh son particularly important given Blacks’ marginalized status and persistent struggles for equality. Building on this concept, Du Bois’ theory explained that Blacks are born with a veil that gives them a second-sight within the systematic construct of American life– a world that does not allow him to be or even discover his true self. Rather, he is confined to assimilating to American ideals of him. As such, Du Bois conceives that Blacks perceive themselves through the distorted views of their oppressors while struggling to maintain their ethnic pride.
Du Bois’ double consciousness theory aligns with seminal studies by prominent academicians who conceive that a person’s thinking, perceptions, feelings, and behavior is based on their ethnic group membership and claim to individual and collective heritage (Phinney, 1996). Additionally, that identity formation is the ‘challenge of preserving one’s sense of personal continuity over time and establishing a sense of sameness of
oneself, despite the necessary changes that one must undergo regarding redefining the self” (Harter, 1990).
Purpose of the Study. The purpose of this qualitative research study explores 8 Black women’s lived experience, observations and perceptions of racism and microaggressions to understand their unique challenges. It additionally explores ethnic identity as a buffer against microaggressive attitudes. Despite notable progress, racism and the stereotypes, myths, and microaggressions remain malignant markers in Black women’s lives. They are adversely impacted socioeconomically, politically and psychologically. To fully understand and adequately address the effect of microaggression against Black women today, the problem requires a macro-level examination and dissection of the formulated problem. This qualitative study enables Black women to share their personal stories, observations, and perspectives about the unique intersectional challenges they face with microaggressive attitudes. The narrative approach provides a practical framework on which to understand the struggles that Black women face in American society and to develop the necessary programs and policies that are essential for sustainable change to take place towards an empowering future.
Archetype: Renown Swiss psychologist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, who pioneered analytical psychology is highly regarded among his peer for his work on unconscious theories. Jung’s unconscious theory believes that the past is the nexus from which the human mind formulates and influence present human behavior. As well, that the mind is
composite of both separate and intersecting systems involving the ego, personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious.
This study applied Jung’s personality formulation theory in which he imagines archetypes as an active network of reactions that defines and determines a person’s life in ways that are not visible (Jung, 1970). Moreover, Jung observes that our past shapes the foundational construct of the psyche and is responsible for directing and influencing current human behavior. Among the many archetypes identified in Jung’s unconscious theory, he focused on four that he believes are fundamental in influencing individual thought, action, and outcomes. 1) The persona is explained as the image of ourselves that we project to the world 2) The shadow archetype is believed to have hidden anxieties and repressed thoughts 3) Personal unconscious is a composite of our memories and ideas 4) collective unconscious is understood as a set of shared collective ancestral memories and ideas. This study combined Jung’s personality concept with narratives of Black women’s lived experiences, observations, and perceptions for dominant archetypes that shape Black women’s identity.