The US vice presidential debate
A Black woman's resistance to white masculine dominance and white fragility to assert equal voice on public policy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3659628 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kathryn M Yount (0000-0003-1917-1574, Emory University, corresponding author), Kanika Sharma (0000-0002-2066-6382, Emory University) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 964-970 |
| Publication date | 2021-11-17 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Gender Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0958-9236 • E-ISSN: 1465-3869 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09589236.2020.1867521 |
| OpenAlex | W3115311080 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 8 |
The Vice Presidential debate on 7 October 2020 between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence was historic. For the first time in U.S. history, the electorate heard a Black woman candidate running for the second-highest political office in the country. Based on an analysis of the debate transcript, we argue that the micro-dynamics of this high-stakes forum reveal how white masculine dominance and white fragility may limit a Black woman’s opportunity for equal voice. However, Harris’ strategic use of implicit dominance behaviours enabled her to reclaim her speaking rights while minimizing backlash. This debate is an opportunity to consider how white male dominance can silence and divide women, how white fragility can sustain racialized sexism, and how Black women may confront multiple jeopardies in pursuit of political leadership. Counteracting the gendered displays of white privilege in high-stakes debates will support Black women’s equal voice and influence on policy
Art · Economics · Management · Political science · Politics · Presidential system · Silence · Sociology · Vice president · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Studies · Law · Social and Intergroup Psychology
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2025 (4) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |