Black Feminist Theory

While many researchers have examined the out-of-school experiences of African American boys and their impact on school and learning, comparatively scant attention has been paid to the intersection of race and socioeconomic status as it differentially affects the learning experiences of African American girls. Black feminist theory (BFT) has been used as a framework by educational researchers to better understand the inequalities that affect African American women, as well as to reveal how sexism and racism affect the out-of-school experiences of African American girls in unique ways. This entry outlines the theoretical history of BFT and how BFT can be used to envision more positive learning opportunities for young Black women.