During the fifth week of class we discussed Black feminism, hair politics, and the emergence of a new upwardly mobile generation of middle-class Black women in the midst of continued poverty for many. Using chapter ten of Berry and Gross’ text; the lectures/discussions “Black Feminism, Black Power, Black Politics” and “Party Politics and Beauty Shop Politics in the Post-Civil Rights Era;” chapters by Carter-David, Nadasen and Gill; all primary sources, including clips from Spike Lee’s School Daze and Johnnie Tillmon and Leanita McClain’s documents; and the film Claudine, please do the following:
Write an essay in which you explore Black women’s empowerment through 1960s/1970s organizing, beauty culture, and changes in class status. In your analysis, please explore the barriers to fully engaging this empowerment and the resolutions when empowerment in these realms could not be obtained. Please include references to the following: Organizational affiliation(s), beauty shops, travel, welfare, middle class status, and the pigmentocracy. Finally, considering the film Claudine, please explore the ways that Hollywood employed two African American celebrities (and their co-stars) in forming a depiction of Black women that engaged stereotypes and challenged them.
Please remember to cite quotations and paraphrases.
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Your paper should be insightful, specific in its references, easy to follow in structure, and clear and consistent in style. Please follow a basic essay format (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion). Additionally, your paper should be 1,000 – 1,500 words (4 to 6 double-spaced pages); have 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and be proofread.
