The “Shifting Phenomenon” Among Black Women & other Women of Color

Abstract

This is a power point presentation introducing the notion of "shifting":

Black women . . . shift to accommodate differences in class as well as gender and ethnicity. From one moment to the next, they change their outward behavior, attitude, or tone, shifting “White,” then shifting “Black” again, shifting “corporate,” shifting “cool.” . . . shifting has become such an integral part of Black women’s behavior that some adopt an alternate pose or voice as easily as they blink their eyes or draw a breath – without thinking, and without realizing that the emptiness they feel and the roles they must play may be directly related. (Jones & Shorter-Gooden, 2003, p. 7)