“Our Year to Shine:” Exploring How Media Affects Black Girls

• In Event: 4440 - Children and Youth in a Changing World

Abstract

Existing research on the effects of media and technology in the lives of Black girls has largely adopted a deficit narrative, exploring how “negative” images have affected Black girls. Utilizing qualitative methods, this study employed an intersectional developmental perspective and a strengths-based approach to better understand how media, including #BlackGirlMagic, influenced the identity development of twenty-one Black girls enrolled in a summer program in a mid-sized Southern city. Individual and focus group interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using narrative analysis. I find that Black girls selected, interpreted and were affected by media in different, multidimensional ways. Second, Black girls constructed affirming interpretations of the images and actions of Black women and girls in the media. Third, #BlackGirlMagic provided Black girls with a framework for developing an asset-based sense of self and conceptualization of Black girlhood. Finally, Black girl’s descriptions of images of Black women and girls they wished to see more of demonstrated the capabilities of Black girls to “restory” new media. My findings underscore the need to continue to build opportunities for Black girls to critically digest, process, discuss and develop media.

Author

• Lauren Christine Mims, University Of Virginia