"No Complaining, No Crying": A Qualitative Study of the Strong Black Woman Schema in the Breast Cancer Context.

BACKGROUND: Black women have the highest mortality from breast cancer compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Black women with breast cancer also evidence compromised quality of life in some domains. Culturally relevant aspects of their experience are understudied. PURPOSE: The goal of this qualitative study was to examine the relevance of the Strong Black Woman schema in the cancer context. METHODS: Three Gatherings (i.e., culturally curated focus groups) were conducted with Black women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and recruited from cancer-related listservs and events. A five-person team conducted reflexive thematic analysis of Gathering transcripts. RESULTS: The 37 participants ranged in age (30 to 94 years) and in diagnosis duration (2 months to 29 years). Reflexive thematic analysis yielded six themes that characterized the women's experience: historical legacy of the Strong Black Woman, navigating intersecting Strong Black Woman identities, everyday challenges encountered on the battlefield by Strong Black Women, Strong Black Woman in action during the breast cancer journey, the complexities of seeking and accepting support, and the liberated Strong Black Woman. The schema's negative consequences included the oncologic team and others expecting the participants to be strong and not to need support. Expectations to suppress emotions and continue caring for others to the neglect of the self also were evident. Positive consequences included engaging in self-advocacy in the oncologic context and redefining strength to include expressing emotions and accepting help. CONCLUSIONS: The Strong Black Woman schema is highly relevant in the breast cancer context and could be addressed in culturally centered interventions.

Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, Black American women diagnosed with breast cancer have the highest death rate and some aspects of their quality of life is lower. The authors developed Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities) to shed light on the experiences of Black American women diagnosed with breast cancer. In one Project SOAR study, 37 women took part in Gatherings­small group meetings conducted in an all-Black, all-woman space­in which they talked about the relevance of the Strong Black Woman (or Black Superwoman) concept during breast cancer. Arising from a history of enslavement, the concept involves suppressing emotions, always acting strong, taking care of others while neglecting care of oneself, and declining others' support. Gathering participants ranged in age (30 to 94 years) and time elapsed since diagnosis (2 months to 29 years). Their breast cancer experiences often corresponded with the Strong Black Woman concept. For example, some medical professionals and others expected them to act strong, to keep caring for others, not to need support, and not to voice their emotions during the cancer experience. Some women redefined strength to include expressing emotions and accepting help. The authors are developing resources for Black American women breast cancer survivors.

The Strong, Silent (Gender) Type: The Strong Black Woman Ideal, Self-Silencing, and Sexual Assertiveness in Black College Women.

Women are socialized to endorse femininity scripts mandating that they prioritize others' needs and engage in self-silencing behaviors. Further, Black women may also endorse the strong Black woman (SBW) ideal, by which they are expected to selflessly meet the needs of their family and community and, as such, may embrace self-silencing in their interpersonal relationships. In a sample of 597 Black undergraduate and graduate college women, we tested whether: (1) self-silencing and SBW ideal endorsement would be independently, inversely associated with three dimensions of sexual assertiveness-communication assertiveness, refusal assertiveness, and pleasure-focused assertiveness; and (2) the association between self-silencing and sexual assertiveness would be stronger among Black women who endorse the SBW ideal. Correlational and regression analyses revealed that self-silencing was negatively linked to all dimensions of sexual assertiveness; SBW ideal endorsement was associated with lower levels of communication and pleasure-focused assertiveness. As expected, SBW ideal endorsement moderated the association between Black women's engagement in self-silencing and two dimensions of sexual assertiveness. Self-silencing was associated with less communication and pleasure-focused assertiveness regardless of their level of SBW endorsement. Findings highlight the complexities of Black women's desire to fulfill expectations to be strong, assertive, and/or compliant and silent. Interventions to promote Black women's sexual health should address sexual assertiveness and feminine silencing norms.

Becoming Strong: Sociocultural Experiences, Mental Health, & Black Girls' Strong Black Woman Schema Endorsement.

This study examines the precedents and consequences of Black girls' Strong Black Woman schema (SBW) endorsement. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, among Black girls (N= 308), racial discrimination experiences and racial barrier socialization messages were positively associated with SBW endorsement. However, there was no significant interaction between racial discrimination and racial barrier messages in predicting SBW endorsement. Our analyses also revealed that SBW was not directly associated with internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms). Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between racial discrimination and SBW endorsement in predicting internalizing symptoms. Findings provide evidence of and clarity on how sociocultural experiences shape SBW development and highlight a need to better understand how SBW endorsement functions in the mental health of Black girls.

The Strong Black Woman: Insights and Implications for Nursing.

OBJECTIVE: This discussion paper describes the intricacies of the strong Black woman (SBW) construct and how understanding this construct is significant and relevant within nursing. METHOD: This article is a discussion piece that provides a succinct conceptual and historical overview of the SBW construct. It then describes the impacts of this construct before presenting implications as they relate to nursing practice, education, policy, and research. RESULTS: The SBW construct is exclusively and routinely applied to Black women. Typically, the SBW construct encompasses five components, which center on independence, caring, and strength. These five components include the obligation to (1) always maintain and present an image of strength, (2) suppress emotion, (3) be self-reliant, (4) succeed despite all odds, and (5) always place the needs [especially comfort] of others above those of oneself. Moreover, the SBW construct posits Black women as possessing superhuman capabilities. The nature of this construct is complex, with some Black women using it as a survival mechanism, and others finding empowerment through this image. Nevertheless, recent research has revealed the harms associated with this image including detriment to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, with the implications extending to Black families and communities. CONCLUSION: Understanding this topic is essential in providing support to all Black women in health care and within the Black community-including patients, nurses, faculty, staff, and students. Recognizing the implications of the SBW construct is essential toward ensuring that our care, practices, and policies are not only supportive but also antiracist.

Imagining Her Future: Diversity in Mothers' Socialization Goals for Their Adolescent Daughters.

According to developmental niche theory, members of different cultural and ethnic groups often have distinct ideas about what children need to become well-adapted adults. These beliefs are reflected in parents' long-term socialization goals for their children. In this study, we test whether specific themes that have been deemed important in literature on diverse families in the United States (e.g., Strong Black Woman [SBW], marianismo, familismo) are evident in mothers' long-term socialization goals. Participants included 192 mothers of teenage daughters from a low-income city in the United States (58% Latina, 22% African American, and 20% European American [EA]/White). Socialization goals were assessed through a q-sort task on important traits for a woman to possess and content analysis of open-ended responses about what values mothers hoped they would transmit to their daughters as they become adults. Results from ANCOVAs and logistic regression indicate significant racial/ethnic differences on both tasks consistent with hypotheses. On the q-sort task, African American mothers put more importance on women possessing traits such as independence than mothers from other racial/ethnic groups. Similarly, they were more likely to emphasize self-confidence and strength in what they hoped to transmit to their daughters. Contrary to expectation, Latina mothers did not emphasize social traits on the q-sort; however, in open-ended responses, they were more likely to focus on the importance of motherhood, one aspect of marianismo and familismo. Overall, results suggest that these mothers' long-term socialization goals incorporate culturally relevant values considered important for African American and Latino families.

[Umbilical endometriosis mimicking a keloid in a young black woman: A case report]. / Endométriose ombilicale simulant une chéloïde chez une patiente à peau foncée.

BACKGROUND: Most umbilical tumors are diagnosed as benign tumors, umbilical metastases of abdominal and pelvic tumors, or Sister Marie Joseph nodule. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous umbilical endometriosis mistaken for a keloid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A young black woman aged 26 consulted for a painful umbilical tumefaction. She had noted the appearance of a nodule of the umbilicus 10 months ago with bleeding during her menstrual periods. Skin examination revealed a firm and painful umbilical nodule 2.5cm in diameter. She was treated with corticosteroid injections for one month for umbilical keloid. Given that the symptoms recurred regularly at the time of menstruation, we suspected umbilical endometriosis. This diagnosis was finally confirmed by histopathological examination and hormone therapy was instituted on gynecological advice before scheduled surgical excision. CONCLUSION: In a setting of an umbilical tumor simulating a keloid associated with cyclical symptoms in a black woman, the diagnosis of umbilical endometriosis should not be overlooked by the dermatologist.

Unveiling the Strong Black Woman Schema-Evolution and Impact: A Systematic Review.

The Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema is described as a statue of unrelenting strength, resilience, and self-sufficiency, serving as a shield of protection and cultural adaptation to suppress and control manifestations of racial and gender oppression. Stemming from superwoman syndrome, a conceptual model exploring the multifactorial roles women hold and their impact, the SBW extends beyond gender roles to the sociopolitical context of the Black woman's lived experience. Endorsement of the SBW posits risk for health disparities including stress, anxiety, depression, and obesity. This review was conducted to explore the SBW schema and experiences of Black women who endorse it, to delineate how Black women describe themselves in relation to the SBW persona, and to inform further inquiry, nursing practice, and clinical approaches to improving health outcomes of this population. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted with a literature search from CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SocINDEX databases yielding seven relevant papers for this analysis. Studies using the superwoman schema and the SBW schema with participants who identified as Black women were included in the review. Consistent with the SBW phenomenon, many participants described examples and consequences of being an SBW. While most women identified with SBW, not all endorsed the persona entirely, challenging its ideal and reinforcing positive self-care. Themes include (a) Strength by nature, not choice, (b) Suppressed emotion, (c) Success over everything, and (d) Prioritizing others over self. Additional emerging themes are also included. Black women increasingly recognize the negative impacts of the SBW schema, pinpointing how their internal feelings manifest in their external world. The conceptual framework itself is an anomaly, incongruently impacting both the mental and physical health of Black women, further contributing to the long-term health and sociopolitical disparities that Black women experience. Simply acknowledging and understanding these experiences by healthcare practitioners are not enough to prevent or eliminate the risks involved with the endorsement of the SBW schema but rather intentionally addressing these as a contributing social determinant of health that predisposes them to long-term chronic conditions.

Contextualizing Black Women's Mental Health in the Twenty-First Century: Gendered Racism and Suicide-Related Behavior.

Despite predictions from the Black-White and gender paradoxes in suicide risk, there has been a recent growth in suicide rates among Black women and girls that requires special attention from social and behavioral researchers. In this review, we demonstrate how and why an intersectional framework is needed to understand and contextualize Black women's mental health and suicide risk. To begin, we outline data and existing literature on Black women's mental health outcomes. Next, we provide insights from intersectional and Black feminist scholars on the uniqueness of Black womanhood and the necessity of centering racism and sexism in studies of Black women. Third, we present clear links between mental health, gendered racism experienced by Black women, and the Strong Black Woman schema which they adopt to navigate society. Fourth, and finally, we discuss practical and scholarly applications for this work. To this end, this research agenda is about advocating for the consideration of psychosocial and sociocultural factors in practice and research on suicide-related behavior.

The Strong Black Woman Archetype and Therapeutic Outcomes: Examining Relationships Among Women with Childhood Sexual Abuse Histories.

The Strong Black Woman archetype (SBWA) describes a cultural pattern where Black women are expected to and present as physically and mentally strong, regardless of past and ongoing stressors. The SBWA has served the historical purpose of aiding survival for Black women throughout years of racial and gender oppression. However, the practice has also been associated with adverse mental health and with behaviors, such as self-silencing, that could impede therapeutic process. The purpose of this empirical study was to investigate the relationships between adherence to the SBWA and therapeutic outcomes (i.e., satisfaction with therapy, satisfaction with therapist, perceptions of one's global improvement in therapy) among Black women with childhood sexual abuse histories-a subpopulation at increased need for mental health treatment and who may be susceptible to high levels of adherence to the SBWA. Black adult female participants (N = 103) completed an online survey including a demographic questionnaire, an assessment of SBWA endorsement, and treatment outcomes from their current or most recent therapy experience. Three hierarchical linear regressions were conducted with SBWA as the independent variable and (i) satisfaction with therapist, (ii) satisfaction with therapy, and (iii) global improvement as the dependent variables. Consistent with our hypotheses, we found that SBWA inversely predicted satisfaction with therapy and the therapist. While the relationship between SBWA and global improvement was statistically significant, the finding was not practically significant. Still, our study findings suggest that higher levels of SBWA predict less favorable therapy outcomes. Future research directions and clinical implications are discussed.

The Ubuntu Approach in Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities): Building a robust community-academic partnership and culturally curated focus groups.

Community-academic partnerships to enable research within minoritized communities are ever more important. Building on community-based participatory research frameworks, the Ubuntu Approach is offered as a set of principles for initiating and supporting meaningful and productive community-academic research partnerships. Particularly pertinent when the research is for and about systemically oppressed groups, the action principles are: 1) take risks; 2) identify and align core values; 3) create connection; 4) convey respect; 5) cultivate trust; and 6) put the work (i.e., benefit to the community) first, all of which are designed to create a culture for the partnership. These principles formed the foundation for the authors' community-academic partnership that resulted in Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities), research to advance the understanding of the nature and consequences of the Strong Black Woman schema, and other culturally-relevant constructs, in the context of the breast cancer experience. Data from the first, qualitative phase of Project SOAR, in which 37 Black women diagnosed with breast cancer took part in culturally curated Gatherings (i.e., focus groups), provide evidence that steps toward the goal of benefiting the community were accomplished and that the Ubuntu Approach can be an effective method for community-academic partnerships.

How Race and Gender Stereotypes Influence Help-Seeking for Intimate Partner Violence.

This qualitative study investigated how stereotypes affect help-seeking behaviors for women in abusive relationships. It consisted of in-depth interviews of 15 female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV): five White and 10 African American women. It compared and contrasted the ways in which internalized stereotypes affected the IPV-related help-seeking of African American women and White women. The findings indicated that African American women were affected by the "strong Black woman" stereotype, did not utilize formal institutions for help, and instead, turned to close family and friends for support. White women were affected by stereotypes about IPV victims, felt less strain associated with utilizing formal support systems, and also utilized informal support networks. Results are interpreted and recommendations are developed through an intersectional Black feminist criminological theoretical framework.

Healthcare experiences of a Black lesbian in the United States.

Little is known about the healthcare experiences of Black lesbian and bisexual women. This exploratory study examined the healthcare experiences of a 24-year-old Black lesbian and the interconnection between race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity in her lived experiences. Data were gathered through an in-depth audio-recorded interview. Findings revealed the risks of and barriers to self-disclosure in healthcare settings, factors that influence the quality of the patient-provider relationship, and the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this Black American lesbian. This study is an important first step in exploring the healthcare experiences of Black lesbian and bisexual women. The findings of this case study highlight themes and avenues for future research. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Underneath the Mask of the Strong Black Woman Schema: Disentangling Influences of Strength and Self-Silencing on Depressive Symptoms among U.S. Black Women.

Recent investigations have elucidated the influence of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) Schema on the mental health and treatment seeking behaviors of Black women in the United States. However, the SBW schematic characteristics that produce depression have yet to be identified. The current study fills this void in the literature through a quantitative examination of how characteristics of the SBW Schema relate to depressive symptomology. Analyses were based on 194 participants, including college students (n = 98) and community members (n = 96), ranging in age from 18 to 82 years-old (M = 37.53, SD = 19.88). As hypothesized, various manifestations of self-silencing were found to significantly mediate the relationship between the perceived obligation to manifest strength (a SBW characteristic) and depressive symptomatology. The present study advances the idea that depressive symptoms are related to endorsement of the SBW Schema and highlights self-silencing as a mechanism by which this relationship occurs. These results offer evidence and clarification of the impact of the SBW Schema on Black women's mental health and identify specific points of intervention for mental health practitioners conducting therapeutic work with Black women. We provide recommendations for future research to avoid pathologizing strength and we discuss the implications and potential benefits of integrating a Womanist theoretical perspective into counseling for Black women, a population that has historically underutilized mental health resources.

Concepções de mulheres negras sobre autocuidado em saúde reprodutiva / Conceptions of black women about self-care in reproductive health

Resumo Neste trabalho se buscou identificar as concepções de mulheres negras em vulnerabilidade socioeconômica de um bairro da Zona Noroeste do município de Santos sobre saúde e autocuidado em saúde reprodutiva. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 19 mulheres autodeclaradas negras. Os dados qualitativos foram submetidos à Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados revelaram concepções acerca da saúde e do autocuidado que envolvem não apenas o aspecto biomédico, mas também a percepção de saúde integral. Concluiu-se que as mulheres consideram a saúde e o autocuidado como algo de grande importância, entretanto, atribuem ao profissional de medicina papel relevante na manutenção desse autocuidado, desconsiderando as práticas diárias que realizam de forma autônoma.

Abstract This work sought to identify the conceptions of black women in socioeconomic vulnerability in a neighborhood in the Northwest Zone of the municipality of Santos about health and self-care in reproductive health. This is a qualitative research carried out via semi-structured interviews with 19 self-declared black women. Qualitative data were submitted to Content Analysis. The results revealed conceptions about health and self-care that involve the biomedical aspect and a perception of integral health. In conclusion, women consider health and self-care very important; however, they attribute to the medical professional a relevant role in maintaining this self-care, disregarding the daily practices carried out autonomously.

"E Eu Não Sou Uma Mulher?" Confluências Entre a Psicanálise e a Mulher Negra / "And Am I Not a Woman?" Confluences Between Psychoanalysis and the Black Woman / "¿Y Yo No Soy Una Mujer?" Confluencias Entre el Psicoanálisis y la Mujer Negra

Este trabalho é um recorte de nossa pesquisa de mestrado, que se propôs a investigar, a partir de narrativas de mulheres negras, as percepções e significados de suas experiências enquanto mulheres, como também identificar os marcadores da diferença de suas vivências em torno da feminilidade e o que faz uma mulher negra experimentar a feminilidade de uma forma própria. Apoiamo-nos na perspectiva metodológica da pesquisa psicanalítica dos fenômenos sociais e políticos, por compreender que nossa questão advém de um impasse político-social, que foi examinado a partir da relação transferencial e da indissociabilidade entre teoria, clínica e pesquisa. Utilizamos o recurso de entrevistas enquanto instrumento para a produção do material de análise. Assim, entrevistamos três mulheres negras, convidadas a compartilhar suas histórias e experiências enquanto mulheres. A partir do debate teórico e do material levantado nas entrevistas, foi possível identificar as complexidades do processo de tornar-se mulher e negra, a partir dos marcadores difundidos no laço social, por possuir especificidades subjetivas. Para além disso, pensar no significado dos símbolos utilizados por mulheres negras e contar com uma outra mulher negra para apresentar esses elementos são direções que podem impactar a experiência da feminilidade dessas mulheres.

This work is part of our master's research, which has proposed to investigate, from narratives of black women, the perceptions and meanings of their experiences as women, as well as to identify the markers of the difference in their experiences around femininity and what makes a black woman experience femininity in her own way. We rely on the methodological perspective of psychoanalytic research on social and political phenomena, understanding that our issue stems from a political-social impasse, which has been examined from the transferential relationship and the inseparability between theory, clinic and research. We have used the interview resource as an instrument for the production of analysis material. Thus, we have interviewed three black women, which were invited to share their stories and experiences as women. From the theoretical debate and from the material that have raised in the interviews, it was possible to identify the complexities of the process of becoming woman and black, from the markers scattered through the social bond, as it has subjective specificities. Furthermore, thinking about the meaning of the symbols used by black women and relying on another black woman to present these elements are directions that can impact these women's experience of femininity.

Este trabajo forma parte de nuestra investigación de maestría, que se propuso indagar, a partir de narrativas de mujeres negras, las percepciones y significados de sus experiencias como mujeres, así como identificar los marcadores de la diferencia en sus experiencias en torno a la feminidad y que le permita experimentar la feminidad a su manera. Nos apoyamos en la perspectiva metodológica de la investigación psicoanalítica sobre los fenómenos sociales y políticos, entendiendo que nuestro problema surge de un impasse político-social, que fue examinado desde la relación transferencial y la inseparabilidad entre teoría, clínica e investigación. Utilizamos el recurso de la entrevista como instrumento para la producción de material de análisis. Así, entrevistamos a tres mujeres negras, invitadas a compartir sus historias y experiencias como mujeres. A partir del debate teórico y del material levantado en las entrevistas, fue posible identificar las complejidades del proceso de hacerse mujer y negra, a partir de los marcadores difundidos en el vínculo social, ya que tiene especificidades subjetivas. Además, pensar en el significado de los símbolos utilizados por las mujeres negras y confiar en otra mujer negra para presentar estos elementos son direcciones que pueden impactar la experiencia de la feminidad de estas mujeres.

[Cutaneous depigmentation in black female population for cosmetic purposes: results of a KAP survey conducted in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)]. / Dépigmentation cutanée cosmétique des femmes noires: résultats d'une enquête CAP à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous depigmentation for cosmeticis purposes is a widespread practice among black African women. It has many complications that have been well documented for decades. However, the reasons of practitioners are not well known. The aim of our study was to understand the motivating reasons of these women in order to conduct a communication campaign for behavior change. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional KAP survey (Knowledge/Attitudes/Practices) at the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of Treichville (Abidjan) Data were analyzed using Epi Info 3.5.1. and 6.04 software. RESULTS: Practitioners were mostly young urban single, literate and professionally active women (20-40 years). Cutaneous depigmentation and its consequences were known to women, however, they thought that women with the lightest complexion were more attractive. They were influenced by media and friends. The most frequently observed complications were exogenous ochronosis and stretch marks. The local means of communication remained what essentially sustained the information needs of these women, because they help them to change their behavior. CONCLUSION: The development of local communication strategies for behavior change seems necessary to stop the phenomenon of cutaneous depigmentation for cosmetic purposes in black female population in Abidjan.

Negritude feminina no Brasil: uma análise com foco na educação superior e nos quadros executivos empresariais / Feminine blackness in Brazil: an analysis focused on higher education and corporate executives / Negritud femenina en Brasil: un análisis con enfoque en la educación superior y en los cuadros ejecutivos empresariales / Feminine negritude au Brésil: une analyse centrée sur l'enseignement supérieur et les dirigeants d'entreprise

O presente artigo tem por objetivo investigar as Políticas Públicas Educacionais e Empresariais para o enfrentamento da desigualdade social de mulheres negras no Brasil. Observa-se a ascensão social das mulheres negras, porém estas ainda permanecem sub-re-presentadas. Os dados apresentados neste estudo referem-se ao percentual de mulheres negras na Universidade e em cargos executivos do setor privado. Problematizar o lugar da negritude feminina, enfatizando as políticas afirmativas para enfrentamento das desigualdades é reiterar a necessidade de políticas que atinjam a negritude feminina e a estrutura social. Desse modo, pensar a inserção de mulheres negras no Ensino Superior é também refletir sobre suas possibilidades de desenvolvimento e emancipação.

This article aims to investigate the Public Educational and Business Policies that combat the social inequality of black women in Brazil. It is noted the social ascension of black women, but they still remain underrepresented. The data presented in this study refer to the percentage of black women in the University and in executive positions of the private sector. By emphasizing the Affirmative Policies to face inequalities, to problematize the place offeminine blackness is to reiterate the need for Policies that achieve female blackness and the social structure. This way, thinking about the insertion of black women in Higher Education is also reflecting on their possibilities of development and emancipation.

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo investigar las Políticas Públicas Educacionales y Empresariales para el enfrentamiento de la desigualdad social de las mujeres negras en Brasil. Se observa la ascensión social de las mujeres negras pero todavía siguen sub-representadas. Los datos presentados en este estudio se refieren al porcentaje de mujeres negras en la Universidad y en cargos ejecutivos del sector privado. Problematizar el lugar de la negritud femenina, destacando las Políticas Afirmativas para el enfrentamiento de las desigualdades, es reiterar la necesidad de Políticas dirigidas a la negritud femenina y a la estructura social. De ese modo, pensar la inserción de mujeres negras en la Educación Superior es también reflexionar sobre sus posibilidades de desarrollo y emancipación.

Cet article a pour objectif d'examiner les Politiques Publiques en matière d'éducation et d'entreprise visant à remédier à l'inégalité sociale des femmes noires au Brésil. L'ascension sociale des femmes noires est observée, mais elles sont toujours sous-représentées. Les données présentées dans cette étude se réfèrent au pourcentage de femmes noires à l'université et à des postes de direction dans le secteur privé. Pour problématiser la place de la négritude féminine, insister sur les politiques affirmatives pour faire face aux inégalités revient à réitérer la nécessité de politiques qui affectent la négritude féminine et la structure sociale. De cette façon, réfléchir à l'insertion des femmes noires dans l'enseignement supérieur, c'est aussi réfléchir à leurs possibilités de développement et d'émancipation.

Da invisibilidade à resistência: mulheres negras e a vida afrocentrada como potência de cuidado no território / From invisibility to resistance: black women and life afrocentric as a power of care in the territory

Esta dissertação aborda as dinâmicas do paradigma afrocentrado como potência de cuidado na vida de mulheres negras em territórios majoritariamente brancos, como Venâncio Aires, no interior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Por meio deste trabalho busco compreender como esses corpos de mulheres negras vivem em meio a diferenças culturais e olhares opressores na construção da sua identidade, etnicidade, corporeidade, bem como de que forma se compreendem enquanto pertencentes àquele território e como fazem para proteger suas subjetividades e produzir relações de cuidado de si, e consequentemente saúde. Para acessar as respostas a tais indagações, realizei entrevistas não-diretivas, baseada na abordagem metodológica da História de Vida Focal, com 3 mulheres negras, residentes e naturais do cenário em questão. Para esse percurso metodológico tive auxílio de ferramentas como observação participante, meu diário de campo e as fotografias resgatadas e geradas pelas mulheres que participaram deste estudo. Todos os materiais foram analisados de forma interpretativa e as imagens através da sociologia das imagens. Como resultado deste estudo pude perceber a expressão de formas de dominação racial, como as imagens de controle tem efeito direto e de forma consistente nas existências de mulheres negras, bem como tais processos são reiterados por barreiras raciais promovidas pelo território. Mas também me aproximei da magnitude que há na construção de algumas estratégias e possibilidades de proteção da vida e subjetividades neste cenário, como a composição de coletividades afrocentradas e potencializadoras do cuidado; as buscas pela ancestralidade como forma de reconhecimento e manutenção das torrentes de vida; e o autocuidado como um processo coletivo de preservação de si, dos seus e da sua própria cultura.

This thesis talks about the dynamics of the afro-centered paradigm as a power of care in the lives of black women in territories of mostly white people, such as Venâncio Aires, in the countryr of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Through this research I seek to understand how black women can live in a place of cultural differences and oppressive views in the construction of their identity, ethnicity, corporeality, as well as how they understand themselves as belonging to that territory and how they manage to protect their subjectivities and produce relationships of self- care, and consequently health. To access the answers to such questions, I conducted non-directive interviews, based on the methodological approach of the Focal Life Story, with 3 black women, residents and natives of the scenario in question. For this methodological path I had was helped by the tools such as participant observation, my diary of field and the photographs rescued and made by the women who participated in this study. All materials were analyzed by interpretative method and the images through the sociology of images. As a result of this study, I could see the expression of forms of racial domination, how the control images have a direct and consistent effect on the existence of black women, as well as how such processes are reiterated by racial barriers promoted by the territory. Thus, I got closer to the magnitude of the construction of some strategies and possibilities for protection of life and subjectivities in this scenario, such as the composition of afro-centered collectivities that enhance care; the search for ancestry as a way of recognizing and maintaining the streams of life; and self-care as a collective process of self-preservation, their beloved ones and their own culture.