Racialized Backlash: A State-Level Analysis of Black Women’s Homicide Victimization by Black Men, White Men, and Police

Abstract

Violence against Black women has been overshadowed by gender-based violence against white women and police violence against Black men. We account for how the intersection of racism and sexism produce unique vulnerabilities for Black women in our examination of their homicide victimization committed by Black and white men (Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1986–2019) and by police (Fatal Encounters, 2000–2019). As predicted, analyses show curvilinear relationships between Black women’s relative socioeconomic status to and their homicide victimization by Black men. Further, when Black women hold a greater number of political positions, they are more likely to be killed by white men and police. Thus, Black women’s victimization reflects their vulnerabilities within, and perceived threats to, both gender and racial hierarchies.