Silence and the Inner Lives of Black Nationalist Women

Transmuting Girls Into Women: Examining the Adultification of Black Female Sexual Assault Survivors Through Twitter Feedback

“…The fast-tailed girl mythos evolved as a component of the Black American culture of dissemblance developed during slavery to protect Black women from sexual violence and exploitation (Parker, 2018). The nonconsensual social contract of the Black American culture of dissemblance requires that Black women reject their sexualities and present an asexual image to the world (Byrd, 2019). In essence, the Black American culture of dissemblance is a coping strategy used to reject negative, offensive, or stereotypical characteristics that would expose the individual and the community to further harm or marginalization (Byrd, 2019).…”

“…The nonconsensual social contract of the Black American culture of dissemblance requires that Black women reject their sexualities and present an asexual image to the world (Byrd, 2019). In essence, the Black American culture of dissemblance is a coping strategy used to reject negative, offensive, or stereotypical characteristics that would expose the individual and the community to further harm or marginalization (Byrd, 2019). Hine (1992) states that the Black American culture of dissemblance has had profound consequences on society's contemporary understanding of Black American girls’ and women's sexuality.…”

“…Washington (2001) argued that Black American women's adherence to a Black cultural mandate to protect male offenders from criminal prosecution and the degree to which the survivor has internalized the strong Black woman mythology were powerful obstacles to sexual victimization disclosure. Recent research indicates that for every Black girl or woman who reports their sexual victimization, at least 15 do not, suggesting that the Black American culture of dissemblance continues to profoundly impact the Black female experience (Byrd, 2019).…”