Debunking Sapphire: Toward a Non-Racist and Non-Sexist Social Science

Authors

Patricia Bell Scott, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Abstract

The term "Sapphire" is frequently used to describe an age-old image of Black women. The caricature of the dominating, emasculating Black woman is one which historically has saturated both the popular and scholarly literature. The purpose of this paper is debunk the "Sapphire" caricature as it has been projected in American social science. By exposing the racist and sexist underpinnings of this stereotype, it is hoped that more students and scholars might be sensitized and encouraged to contribute to the development of a nonracist and non-sexist social science.

Recommended Citation

Scott, Patricia Bell (1977) "Debunking Sapphire: Toward a Non-Racist and Non-Sexist Social Science," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 4: Iss. 6, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1203
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol4/iss6/4