Understanding Black Women’s Experiences with Law Enforcement: A Qualitative, Intersectional Approach

In a world where Black women’s experiences with law enforcement are often overlooked, their stories remain largely untold—until now. Drawing on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s framework of intersectionality and Moya Bailey’s concept of misogynoir, this study explores the experiences of Black women with law enforcement in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. This is done through a series of 8 semi-structured, qualitative interviews with Black women, specifically examining how the intersection between race and gender shapes these encounters. The complicated relationship between race and gender significantly shapes individuals’ experiences with law enforcement, and within these factors, the experiences of Black women stand out as a particularly critical area of study. Key findings include the persistence of stereotypes portraying Black women as “aggressive”, “angry”, or “loud”, participants’ efforts to define themselves beyond those labels, occasional positive encounters with police, and shifts in perception before and after the death of George Floyd. The study also includes recommendations on how police can better engage with Black women through cultural sensitivity, accountability, and community engagement.