Black Women's Resistance: Narratives of Safety and Survival

Catalog description

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the safety and survival of Black women have become central to rethinking public safety. The #SayHerName campaign exemplifies this shift, offering a platform for voices often marginalized by mainstream media. This course examines how Black women in the US, impacted by the intersection of patriarchal misogyny and anti-Black racism, face both hypervisibility and invisibility. Their experiences with public safety are often ignored, complicating discussions about state-sanctioned violence and their protection. We will explore how narratives around gender and race shape public safety perceptions and policies. Through videos, readings, podcasts, guest speakers, and discussions, this course investigates the role of narrative power and rhetoric in shaping the experiences and advocacy for the safety and freedom of Black women and girls. We'll analyze how these narratives impact their rights and the broader fight for their well-being and self-determination.