At the Crossroads of Gender, Religion and Academia: Challenges of Black Women

Abstract

In academia, the challenge to succeed is intensified by social and cultural factors, which in turn, are exacerbated by societal expectations related to gender and racial identity. Way beyond what other men and women, a black woman in academia is often confronted by challenges related to her gender and racial identity. Often overlooked is the role of religion in determining the direction and progress of women in general and Africana women in particular. In this article, I explore challenges that black women encounter in their efforts to succeed in academia, and in furthering the already existing conversation, I engage the question of religious values and how these enhance said gender and racial challenges.