Representations of Black History as Intentional Worlds of Oppression and Liberation

Abstract

The present research applies the cultural psychology concept of intentional worlds (Shweder, 1990) to collective representations of Black History and their relationship with perceptions of racism in contemporary US society. Across 3 studies, I utilize quantitative and qualitative research approaches to explore the dynamic resonance between cultural context and psychological experience. In study 1 (N=47), I consider how representations implicit in mainstream American artifacts--specifically, Black History Month displays from predominately White American settings--reflect the preferences and understandings of White Americans (community-reflecting hypothesis). To test this hypothesis, White participants rated 12 Black History Month displays from high schools where White American students are in the majority (84-92%; Mainstream representations) and in the minority (2-28%; Minority representations). As anticipated, participants indicated that Mainstream displays were more preferable and recognizable than Minority displays. In studies 2 and 3, I consider whether apparently neutral mainstream representations lead people to understate the role of racism in US society (community-reproducing hypothesis). Study 2 (N=123) examines the consequences of exposure to the "preferred" Mainstream displays from study 1. Consistent with the hypothesis, the Mainstream displays were not as effective at promoting racism perception as the Minority displays. In study 3 (N=37), I randomly assign White American participants to one of three historical representation conditions: sanitized representations of Black achievements, critical representations of historical barriers, and a control condition. Consistent with community-reproducing hypotheses, sanitized Black History representations were not as effective at the task of promoting racism perception as the critical Black History representations. Together, these studies suggest that depending on their source, representations of Black History constitute "intentional worlds" that can promote liberation or oppression.