Buy Black: How Black Women Transformed US Pop Culture

Buy Black explores the significant impact of American Black women on Black consumption in the US and worldwide, highlighting their role in packaging Black feminine identity since the 1960s. It examines how products created by Black women have advanced Black womens position as the moral compass and arbiter of Black racial progress, revealing the attitudes that shape a contemporary Black sensibility based on representation and consumerism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Buy Black: Examining the Role of American Black Women in Black Consumption

In her groundbreaking book, Buy Black, author Aria S. Halliday delves into the profound impact that American Black women have had on Black consumption both in the United States and globally. With a specific focus on their pivotal role in shaping and packaging Black feminine identity since the 1960s, Halliday explores the diverse range of dolls, princesses, and rags-to-riches stories that represent Black girlhood and womanhood across various domains, including haircare, fashion, and popular culture. Through her insightful analysis, Halliday highlights how the products created by Black women have played a crucial role in furthering Black women's position as the moral compass and arbiter of Black racial progress.

Buy Black is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration that spans a wide range of topics. It delves into the complex attitudes that inform a contemporary Black sensibility, rooted in representation and consumerism. The book also traces the boundaries of Black symbolic power, mapping the intersections where intraracial ideals of blackness, womanhood, beauty, play, and sexuality converge and mix in consumer and popular culture. By examining these intersections, Halliday sheds light on the ways in which Black women have actively contributed to the shaping of cultural narratives and the creation of a more inclusive and diverse society.

Through her engaging storytelling and analytical approach, Buy Black offers a valuable contribution to the field of Black studies and cultural analysis. It challenges readers to rethink their consumption habits and encourages them to support Black-owned businesses and brands that align with their values. By doing so, we can contribute to the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality while celebrating the rich heritage and creativity of Black communities.

In conclusion, Buy Black is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the role of American Black women in Black consumption and the broader cultural landscape. It provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complex dynamics between race, gender, and consumerism, and offers a roadmap for building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252086359