Race and Representation in Twenty-First Century America

Abstract

This article examines Black women in the development of African-American politics, initially using race as a framework for analyzing the evolution of African-American politics. The article broadens its focus to use an intersectional analysis in explaining Black women’s prominence in representation and voter participation. It discusses criminal justice reform, arguing how the increased incarceration of Black women and girls should change the narrative of the Black community’s perspective towards this issue. Finally, there is a discussion of infant and maternal mortality and criminal justice reform as issues that demand greater attention in the Black community.