Abstract
In the last 50 years political discourse that surrounds women of color (WOC) has changed in numerous ways. There has been an at times slow and at other times fast rise in the assertion that WOC in political movements are radical and even dangerous, and that their stances threaten American democracy. However, my research will look at how the erasure of contributions and actions of WOC in the past has impacted the direct and focused dialogue of today.
Today, politicians, news outlets, political commentators, and consequently lay American citizens will critique progressive WOC in political movements as more radical than ever. This paper looks at whether the historical erasure of WOC in American history has caused the perception of WOC as becoming more extreme. To examine this, my methodology includes a timeline of the critique and discussion over the roles and movements WOC had or took part in, from the 50s to 2022. This timeline will focus on both a broad perception of WOC and at specific women; women like: Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisholm, Sonia Sotomayor, Kamala Harris, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Cori Bush, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. I also look at numerous quantitative studies that show the growth of involvement of WOC in politics and how that correlates to heightened discourse and unfair commentary they receive.
My research breaks down whether the discourse on the assumed progressive radicalization of WOC in politics is merited. Through looking at policy viewpoints, actions, and different means of advocacy, this paper will show that it is not a new set of views or more progressive policies that are responsible for this interpretation of WOC. In fact, policies have very narrowly changed, housing, healthcare, immigration, violence, social systems and more are issues that were very important to civil rights activists.
My research suggests that the discourse on the "radical-ness" of WOC is almost completely about race and gender. Essentially, American people are not as afraid of the progressive movement as they are of the women of color that are headlining it. This research will show that the strong reaction to WOC in politics is not because of policy change but because American society has progressed to a place of electing WOC into powerful positions but has not moved passed racists and misogynistic stereotypes and tropes.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Political Science & Public Administration
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Kim Park Nelson
Start Date
4-19-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
4-19-2023 2:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2a=1pm-2pm
Poster Number
40
Political Discourse on Women of Color
In the last 50 years political discourse that surrounds women of color (WOC) has changed in numerous ways. There has been an at times slow and at other times fast rise in the assertion that WOC in political movements are radical and even dangerous, and that their stances threaten American democracy. However, my research will look at how the erasure of contributions and actions of WOC in the past has impacted the direct and focused dialogue of today.
Today, politicians, news outlets, political commentators, and consequently lay American citizens will critique progressive WOC in political movements as more radical than ever. This paper looks at whether the historical erasure of WOC in American history has caused the perception of WOC as becoming more extreme. To examine this, my methodology includes a timeline of the critique and discussion over the roles and movements WOC had or took part in, from the 50s to 2022. This timeline will focus on both a broad perception of WOC and at specific women; women like: Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisholm, Sonia Sotomayor, Kamala Harris, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Cori Bush, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. I also look at numerous quantitative studies that show the growth of involvement of WOC in politics and how that correlates to heightened discourse and unfair commentary they receive.
My research breaks down whether the discourse on the assumed progressive radicalization of WOC in politics is merited. Through looking at policy viewpoints, actions, and different means of advocacy, this paper will show that it is not a new set of views or more progressive policies that are responsible for this interpretation of WOC. In fact, policies have very narrowly changed, housing, healthcare, immigration, violence, social systems and more are issues that were very important to civil rights activists.
My research suggests that the discourse on the "radical-ness" of WOC is almost completely about race and gender. Essentially, American people are not as afraid of the progressive movement as they are of the women of color that are headlining it. This research will show that the strong reaction to WOC in politics is not because of policy change but because American society has progressed to a place of electing WOC into powerful positions but has not moved passed racists and misogynistic stereotypes and tropes.
