Visibly Invisible: The Black Women of the Congressional Black Caucus
Description
The Women of the Congressional Black Caucus: How Double Minority Produces Mathematical Legislative Ineffectivenessoffers a groundbreaking exploration of the systemic barriers faced by Black women in the United States Congress. This incisive study places the experiences of the women of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) at the forefront, analyzing how race and gender intersect to create unique challenges within a legislative body historically dominated by White males.
Through the innovative theoretical framework of “Sage Authority” and the lens of intersectionality, the book examines how Black women legislators must often rely on the advocacy of White male allies to gain access to power. Using Moya Bailey’s concept of misogynoir, it unpacks the ways in which anti-Black misogyny shapes legislative outcomes and perceptions of Black women in public office.
The text features a longitudinal analysis of Legislative Effectiveness Scores (LES), critiquing the limitations of these “objective” quantitative metrics that often obscure the contributions of Black women legislators. Coupled with historical political narratives and in-depth interviews with CBC members, this multi-method approach provides a nuanced understanding of the systemic marginalization Black women face in legislative spaces. Despite their unparalleled commitment to democracy and community advocacy, their legislative effectiveness remains undermined by structural racism and sexism.
Designed for political scientists, operatives, educators, and students, this work fills critical gaps in Black politics, feminist political theory, and legislative studies, offering an essential resource for courses on African American history, Black feminist thought, and American government. Its comprehensive analysis challenges conventional metrics of legislative success, redefining effectiveness and positioning Black women as central figures in advancing democracy.
