Exploring the Risks of Synonymizing Black and African-American: Immigrant Experiences of Blackness

• In Event: International Relations Committee Invited Session: Racial (In)Justice Across International Educational Contexts

Abstract

The typical representation of Black people in the United States is that of a monolith; however, Black communities have different experiences. Undeniably, there are common elements across communities with respect to customs, language, and food. However, each community has unique experiences and history that are important to acknowledge and understand for Black people to thrive in this country. In this presentation, we explore nuances in our conceptualizations of intersectionality and double consciousness, deconstructing what this means for a Black person who does not hold a minoritized identity. We bring awareness to the danger of a single story, the risks engendered by a simplistic story, and the value in honoring the diverse lived experiences of Black people in the United States.

Authors

• Dionne Cross Francis, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Jeffery Franklin, Indiana University - Indianapolis