"I'm Black, I'm Strong, and I Need Help": Toxic Black Femininity and Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious threat to the lives of Black women in the United States. Research has shown that Black women report more serious injuries and mental health consequences, are less likely to report IPV, and receive fewer services related to IPV victimization than White women do. This article proposes the new concept of toxic Black femininity, which refers to the constant attempts for Black women to uphold a stereotype of being militantly strong and responsible for the overall well-being of the Black image while simultaneously denying their own needs in an attempt to maintain the status quo. We describe the theoretical framework behind the term toxic Black femininity, its historical origins, how the need for survival has led to the manifestation of toxic Black femininity, and the importance of dismantling these toxic ideologies.