Can the female black scholar speak out in a noncooperative space?

Abstract

We explore how black female intellectual activists cope in a ‘non-cooperative space’ while seeking racial equality. Our analysis adopts and extends the concept of non-cooperative space’ as an organizational and social environment portrayed by powerful white agents as victim-friendly and protective, yet, in reality, one that is perilous for individuals who challenge racism. Our analysis suggests that courage helps black female intellectual activists to cope with and navigate these non-cooperative spaces. However, courage, a traditionally manly attribute, is fragile and never omnipresent. Courage fades and regenerates, resulting in temporary loss and (re)gaining of voice. We reach our conclusion by grounding our analysis in intersectionality and drawing on an inductive theory analysis of an in-depth interview with a black African female scholar, and subsequently, her auto-ethnographic account of a racially motivated domestic violence experience. To overcome non-cooperative spaces and advance racial equality, we suggest ‘courageous collective action’ and cooperation among black, brown and white scholars (allies). Our conceptualization contributes to debates on intellectual activism and racial equality within the broader area of diversity and inclusion.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Rashedur Chowdhury: orcid.org/0000-0002-5118-8344

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics