5. Self, Race and the Search for Cultural Selfobject Mirroring
Presenter:
Phillis I. Sheppard, PhD
Chair:
Masayo Isono, MSW
In this paper Self Psychology provides the framework for examining the links between race, bodily trauma and culture in an African American women’s self development. The use of the concept of cultural selfobject is appropriated, and particular attention is given to the cultural and individual experience of black female embodiment.
It is suggested that cultural representations of one’s race and gender are internalized and serve selfobject functions that may either shore up a feeble self by providing idealizing, mirroring and kinship experiences or contribute to the failure to develop a cohesive self. These concerns are brought to bear in a case presentation and discussion.