Gender and Racial Representation in Obama’s Becoming 2018 and Tyson’s Just as I Am 2021: An Intersectional Study

Abstract

This research focuses on the themes of gender and racial representation in Michelle Obama’s Becoming and Cicely Tyson’s Just as I Am from the intersectional perspective. A qualitative, comparative research design is used in the study to look at how both autobiographies describe the struggles and accomplishments of African American women moving through the structures of society informed by race and gender. The intersectionality theory is the underlying concept whereby more insight on how these two identities interact to impact on individual and public life experiences is obtained. From their stories, one can gain a lot of insights on how African American women claim their identity, agency and resilience against discrimination. In comparison of Becoming and Just as I Am, this research brings out the similar themes of persistence, self-definition, and social contribution, and at the same time, points out each woman’s unique circumstances and individual experiences. The textual evidence provides the analysis with the grounds to reveal how race and gender define their private lives and public roles as bearers of hope and change. This research is a part of a larger understanding of the African American autobiographical literature and shows how intersectionality helps to provide a critical approach to studying identity formation. Ultimately, the research affirms that both Obama and Tyson redefine traditional narratives of success by embracing their complex identities, thus inspiring future generations to recognize the power embedded in their stories.