“Compose yourself, like Michelle or Oprah”: a focus group study of the social identity of Black women newscasters in the US

ABSTRACTUsing social identity theory, this focus group study uses the insights of 11 Black women newscasters to explore how these women collectively shape their identity within the US broadcast television news industry, an institution that has long exhibited gendered racism in the workplace and on its airwaves. This study finds that, while members of the in-group (Black women newscasters) collectively see themselves positively, the defining characteristics of their social identity are mostly bound up in the ways they must subvert negative stereotypes of Black women, and the exclusionary industry practices those stereotypes inform. These findings highlight the contradictions of gendered (and racialized) neoliberalism and the discourse they inform, such as that found in #blackgirlmagic. The authors therefore call for more inclusive professional and collegiate newsroom practices as well as future studies that examine the experiences of Black women newscasters and Black women in journalism schools.KEYWORDS: Social identityBlack womentelevision newsneoliberalismfocus groups Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the Division of Diversity and Engagement, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.Notes on contributorsGuy HarrisonGuy Harrison is an Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media at the University of Tennessee. His research examines issues related to diversity and inclusion in news and sports media.Denetra WalkerDenetra Walker is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of Georgia. Her research investigates the ways social justice and race are covered in journalism.Charli KernsCharli Kerns is a Qualitative Data Analyst in the Office of Research Evaluation, and Assessment for Knox Schools. Kerns earned her doctorate in Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee.