A Broken Silence: Voices of African American Women in the Academy

by Lena Myers

Overview

This book addresses the interlocking systems of race and gender in institutions of higher education in America. The study is based on empirical data from African American women of various disciplines in faculty and administrative positions at traditionally white colleges and universities. It focuses primarily on narratives of the women in terms of how they are affected by racism, as well as sexism as they perform their duties in their academic environments. The findings suggest that a common thread exists relative to the experiences of the women. The book challenges and dispels the myth that Black progress has led to equality for African American women in the academy.

The results of this study make it even more critical that the voices of African American women be heard and their experiences in the academy be expressed. This may be one way to inform academic and lay readers that racism and sexism are not dead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780897897938
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/28/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	1320L (what's this?)

About the Author

LENA WRIGHT MYERS is Professor of Sociology at Ohio University and the author of numerous scholarly contributions to sociology, race, ethnicity, class, and gender.

Table of Contents

Preface
Foreword by Essie Manuel Rutledge
Introduction
The Status of African American Women in White Academia
Epoch of the Time
The Power Thirsty People (PTP) Syndrome
Interpretive Views of Race and Gender
Our Voices about Our Experiences
Coping with Indelible Experiences
Epilogue by Djanna A. Hill
Appendix
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

A slender volume, this book nevertheless ranges broadly over a set of issues related to the experiences of African American women intellectuals working in universities and colleges. It outlines the status of African American women in traditionally white institutions, recent changes in that status, struggles over power, the intersection of race and gender, the significance of voice, and coping mechanisms. Myers teaches sociology at Ohio University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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