Abstract: The Diary of a Strong & Angry Black Woman: The Effects on my Mental Health

◆ Tianna Cobb, University of Oklahoma

The “Strong Black Woman” and “Angry Black Woman” narratives have been detrimental to the mental health of Black women (Donovan & West, 2015; Wendy, 2014). These narratives have created externally driven images and stereotypes to control Black women. While both narratives are damaging, they attack opposing depictions. One description, the strong Black woman, represents the “prototypical” Black woman; while the other, the angry Black woman, exemplifies the “undesirable” Black woman. Through the juxtaposition of these two narratives, it appears that the “Strong Black Woman” narrative is a more desirable representation. While the narrative may have been created to view Black women positively and highlight their strength, it has imposed unrealistic expectations to remain strong regardless of how difficult circumstances may be. Moreover, the angry Black woman narrative characterizes Black women as aggressive, belligerent, overbearing, and temperamental, all without cause. Black women’s agency in the development of their own authentic self has been historically confined and limited. However, Black women have begun to insert their voices in resistance to such restrictions inflicted upon their identity. Dutta-Bergman (2004a, 2005) argues that it is imperative to centralize marginalized voices in identifying health problems and the most culturally suitable solutions. Thus, we must begin to center the voices of Black women in the creation of their own authentic identities and reject these externally driven tropes. Further, research has yet to address the detriment to Black women’s health at the praxis of both stereotypes. This presentation serves to promote Black women's mental wellness by highlighting their voices and challenging the hegemonic nature of both narratives in conjunction with one another. Ultimately, this is a call to further research addressing the harmful stereotypes that afflict Black women in efforts to promote equity both in health communication research and at a societal level.