Emotions, Feelings, and Social Change: Love, Anger, and Solidarity in Black Women's AIDS Activism

Abstract:This paper examines the emotions and feelings that influence AIDS activism work among a sample of black women. HIV/AIDS has disproportionately impacted black communities—black women, in particular. Not only do black women have the highest infection rates among women, but they are also often charged with caring for those infected. Consequently, black women have taken important steps in addressing HIV/AIDS in their communities, yet little is known about the emotions that motivate this activism work. Womanism —and its focus on intersecting identities, spirituality, and social justice—serves as the theoretical framework to examine the thoughts and related emotions expressed during interviews conducted with a sample of 36 activists from across the United States. Findings indicate these women's activism was often fueled and maintained by feelings of love, anger, and solidarity.