"Culture of dissemblance" describes a "cult of secrecy" practiced by black women in the Reconstruction era American Middle West to "protect the sanctity of inner aspects of their lives."[1] The term was coined by Darlene Clark Hine
Though sometimes linked to assimilation, the culture of dissemblance is different in that it was mainly used for black women to hide their sexualities and present an nonsexual image to the world in order to protect themselves.[2][3] Researchers claim that organizations such as The National Association of Colored Women, institutionalized cultural dissemblance as they sought to destroy what was perceived as harmful or negative depictions of black women's sexuality. Because black women did not have the social, political, or economic means to change or improve the dominant ideologies of the era, "it was imperative that they collectively create alternative self-images and shield from scrutiny these private, empowering definitions of self."[1][2]
"Culture of dissemblance" has also been used to describe contemporary behaviors.[4] In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many black women were thrust into chaotic atmospheres, and were "exposed emotionally, physically, and sexually in ways largely undocumented." Because of this, they were forced to create a public and private persona to reassure their children and survive in the toxic environment.[5]
References
- ^ a b Hine, Darlene Clark (Summer 1989). "Rape and the Inner Lives of Black Women in the Middle West: Preliminary Thoughts on the Culture of Dissemblance". Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society. 14 (4): 915. doi:10.1086/494552. S2CID 143992395.
- ^ a b The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. Volume 13, Gender. Bercaw, Nancy; Ownby, Ted; Wilson, Charles Reagan; Thomas, James G., Jr.; Abadie, Ann J.; University of Mississippi. Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Chapel Hill. February 2014. ISBN 978-1469616728. OCLC 864900204. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Harris, Angelique; Mushtaq, Omar (2016). The SAGE Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 273–274. doi:10.4135/9781483371283. ISBN 9781483371306. Archived from the original on 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ "How Beyonce's 'Lemonade' Exposes Inner Lives of Black Women". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ Harriford, Diane; Thompson, Becky (2008). "'Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud': Organizing Since Katrina". Fast Capitalism. 4 (1): 49–57. doi:10.32855/fcapital.200801.006. ISSN 1930-014X. S2CID 190445573. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
This page was last edited on 3 July 2023, at 17:15