| African American women have a combination of statuses which creates a unique set of difficulties. They are placed in an unusually disadvantaged position because of the cumulative effects of race, gender and class. Their experiences cannot be thoroughly explained or analyzed within the confines of women's or African American history.; The status designations, being less-valued, inhibit achievement. However, while the overall proportion of doctoral degrees awarded to African Americans is decreasing, the proportion awarded to women remains constant, and the proportion awarded to African American women is increasing. Their success suggests there are some factors, unique to African American women, that enhance their potential for educational attainment.; This is an ethnographic study. The theories discussed emerged from the participants' own lives. The decision to use qualitative rather than quantitative research methods is discussed in the chapter on Methodology. The theory of internal colonialism was utilized to describe inhibiting factors experienced by the women in this study. Structural and institutionalized constraints related to race are characteristic of internal colonialism, and are evident in these participants' lives.; The emerging theory of womanism was employed to understand enhancing factors that contributed to the educational success of the participants. The concept of "racial uplift" as a career and personal achievement goal is central to the theory of womanism, and common in the lives of the women. Accompanying factors of womanism include spirituality, autonomy, education, early work, and family and community influence. These factors are voiced by all five women in varying degrees.; Finally, the researcher discusses implications for further research, social work theory, social policy and social work practice. The clearest implication is the need to examine the significant contribution of culture in shaping the lives of individuals, particularly African American women. Closely associated is the need to evaluate how social policy defines and supports families and communities, especially those of people of color. |
