When I sit down and explain my research topic to people, many look very confused. The term that sparks the bewildered faces is “public space.” My research question is “how does the social capitol of adolescent African American girls affect their integration into public space?” I am reading, conducting interviews and analyzing my findings to figure out how relationships with young men, oftentimes the perpetrators of violent crimes in urban areas, influence girls voluntary involvement in their community. A leading scholar in discourse about the intersection of gender and public space is Dolores Hayden. Although she focuses mostly on feminist implications rather than racial, while reading her book, Redesigning the American Dream: Gender Housing, and Family Life, I felt like an angry black woman.
She identifies the restrictive boundaries of public and private space. She argues that since the 19th century, a woman’s place has been in the home – not in the city, and definitely not in the city without her husband. Women that were seen in the city alone were considered prostitutes and undesirable. Fast-forward to present day, Hayden that argues not much has changed. Women still experience a distinct vulnerability when entering public spaces alone because a fear of being physically, verbally or sexually assaulted.
Similar to most feminist scholarships I read, Hayden is looking at the world through a white woman’s lens. In the 19
th century, black women in
America did not have an option to feel safe or unladylike in or outside their home because we were slaves for most of that century. In modern times, most crimes against black women tend to be reflected back on us, and we are portrayed as “wanting it” or “having no business being there at that time.” Hayden also addresses urban advertising and how women tend to be presented in a sexually suggestive, helpless or disempowered way. At least for white women, they are able to turn on a television and movies and see women such as Meryl Streep, Angelia Jolie and Hilary Clinton portrayed as strong and influential characters and public figures. While young black women see accomplished actresses such as Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, but never see them playing something other than drug-addicted mother or maid. Let’s be honest there are more basketball wives, Nicki Minaj’s, and video vixens saturating mainstream media than Michelle Obama’s. I’m not saying this to knock their hustle, but I am just trying to figure out when this assault on black women will end? Last year, I saw the below image on blog sites
The child is barely walking and talking and is already victim to the acceptable subjucation of black women. My research focuses on adolescent African American women that are dealing with inaccess to resources and the basic public space in their community. On top of abstract barriers such as lack of role models in the media, young black women in Bayview/Hunter's Point and similar neighborhoods in America's major cities have to deal with wreckless, persistent and senseless violence.
Although my data is not large enough to be a representative sample, it does present a glimpse of 20 young women's reality. I'm working on writing a policy prescription to address the effects of this violence on girls; but in the meantime, I've tried to make some change on a smaller scale. Proverbs 31 has been a popular scripture in many women's groups that I've experienced. It is full of beautiful language and essentially, very high expectations for us as young women to meet. But we can. Take the time to share the scripture and reaffirm the beauty, strength and potential for young women.
Proverbs 31:10-31
New International Version (NIV)
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
