It Is Not Simply Black and White: A Qualitative Study Unpacking How Women Understand Racism and Discrimination

The aim of this exploratory focus group study is to examine how Black women, White women, and White women involved in an anti-racism group perceive race and racism in daily life and the strategies they use or recommend to protect themselves and others. While the primary emphasis is on racial identity and racism, the analysis also considers how these dynamics intersect with gender for women across racial groups. A purposive sample of 30 participants participated in six online racially/ethnically homogeneous focus groups. A team consensus approach was utilized with codebook development and thematic analysis. The research team identified three themes: (1) the dynamic between responsibility and privilege, (2) differing experiences of womanhood, and (3) self-protection from racism and allyship from racism. Black women expressed protecting themselves and family, their intersectional identity, and the challenge of sexualization. White women discussed educating themselves about racism and privilege and the saliency of misogyny and patriarchy. White women from the anti-racism group also reported the need to support marginalized groups with presence and funding. Further research could provide insight about the type of allyship Black women desire and how White people educate themselves about these issues.