Navigating Discrimination: A Not So Black-and-White Story

This book explores the experiences of discrimination by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men within the South African context. A descriptive phenomenological research paradigm and method were deemed appropriate in answering the research question. In-depth first-person descriptions highlght the lived experiences of discrimination by three white women in committed interracial relationships. The descriptive content analysis describes that white women in committed interracial relationships with black men experienced discrimination in various contexts where discrimination manifests as either a negative or a positive encounter; in addition, discrimination evokes various emotional responses and is coped with in either maladaptive or adaptive ways. Finally, experienced discrimination, although personal, necessarily impacts on the interracial relationship. Discrimination experienced by white women in committed interracial relationships with black men is thus multi-layered and both an intra-personal and inter-personal process. This book not only offers insight to clinicians, but also offers guidance to students.