America in Black and White
Reflections on Race, Gender, and Power
Dr. Alissa Gardenhire
September 19, 2024
On a recent road trip, I found myself immersed in conversations with five remarkable individuals—Trevor Noah, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Isabel Allende, Jane Fonda, and Darlene Love—each offering a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of race, gender, and power in America. These conversations revealed more than personal stories; they painted a vivid picture of how our identities and opportunities are shaped by systems like androcentrismand white supremacy.
Darlene Love’s story is one of extraordinary talent shaped by white male gatekeepers, who chose when she could advance in her career. Her success is intertwined with the familiar hardships faced by many Black women—navigating the expectations of the Black church, raising boys alone, coping with incarcerated children, and battling personal health challenges, including a heart attack at the height of her career. Her story is one of resilience in a world that often denies Black women the space to thrive on their own terms. Her relationship with male power—both a source of opportunity and oppression—illustrates how entrenched these dynamics remain.
In contrast, Jane Fonda's story begins from a place of privilege, yet she too speaks about the influence of male power in her career and personal life. Difficult relationships with men, including her father, underscore her journey of self-discovery. Fonda reflects on the challenges of motherhood, sexual abuse, and the competition between women in a patriarchal society. However, her (white, elite) privilege remains largely unspoken—a privilege that allowed her to navigate the male-dominated world with fewer barriers compared to someone like Love.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus offers a blend of these narratives. As a white Jewish woman in Hollywood, she has experienced sexism and power struggles throughout her career. Yet, her intellectual curiosity and artistic drive set her apart, offering a nuanced view of how family dynamics shape women’s sense of self. Her reflections on motherhood, like Fonda’s, complicate the myth of “having it all” and reveal the tension women face between ambition and nurturing.
Isabel Allende’s story is shaped by her Latin identity and the cultural expectations imposed on her. She reflects on growing up in a predominantly male household, with a grandfather who dismissed her potential solely based on her gender. Despite this, she identified as a feminist early on, enduring the risks and discouragement that came with it. Allende’s life, marked by subjugation and freedom, echoes the themes of male power seen in the other stories, but her vibrant spirit and determination to live authentically shine through.
Though Trevor Noah isn’t the focal point of these reflections, his insights on race—drawn from his South African background—provide a broader perspective on the racial dynamics at play in America. His ability to move between worlds offers a unique lens on how race and power operate across cultures.
Androcentrism: The Silent Power
A central theme running through these stories is androcentrism—the centering of male power in every sphere of life. Whether it’s Darlene Love’s navigation of male-dominated opportunities in the music industry or Jane Fonda’s conscious decision to tie herself to powerful men for career survival, these women’s lives reflect the overwhelming presence of male authority. Even Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a comedic and intellectual powerhouse, has faced sexism from male gatekeepers in Hollywood.
This is the world we live in—a world where men still decide much of what women can and cannot do. But these stories also reflect resistance. Each woman has found her own path to power, often by defying, working with, or working around the men who sought to control them.
The Role of Race
The overlay of race is crucial to understanding these stories. Darlene Love’s narrative, for instance, illustrates how race and gender intersect to create specific forms of marginalization. Her rise to success was shadowed by the harsh realities of divorce, financial struggle, and children caught up in “Black traumas” like drugs and incarceration. Her story also speaks to how Black women are often “lifted” by powerful white men who benefit from their talent more than they do. This speaks to the ways in which race and power are intertwined in America.
Trevor Noah’s reflections on race, particularly his experiences as a mixed-race individual in both South Africa and America, add further context. His ability to navigate between worlds highlights the complexities of race, power, and identity that are central to understanding modern America.
What Do We Do?
Reflecting on these conversations, I am reminded of the importance of acknowledging the systems that shape us while also recognizing the power we have to change them. The women in these interviews are not passive recipients of male power; they have challenged, shaped, and at times transcended it.
We, too, have that power. We can challenge the systems that dictate who we are supposed to be based on race, gender, and class. We can question the assumptions we’ve inherited and create new narratives—narratives that allow us to thrive, not just survive.
The Centered Leadership Framework: A Path Forward
These reflections on race, gender, and power are core to the work I do with Leadership Centered. By diving beneath the surface to uncover the mythologies and narratives that shape our perceptions, I bring a deeper understanding into leadership development. Through the Centered Leadership framework, we use Inquiry, Intention, Imagination, and Impact to question the systems that govern us and build a more inclusive and equitable world.
This framework isn’t just about leadership in the workplace—it’s about leadership in life. It’s about understanding the dynamics of power, race, and gender so that we can make intentional, impactful decisions that create real change. As these stories remind us, the systems that shape us are not immovable. We have the power to question them, to resist them, and to transform them.
The question is: What will you do with your story?