Black women running for political office are largely aware of how people view them in terms of their abilities, interests, and policy goals. This knowledge often leads these candidates to work to combat detrimental stereotypic views as they attempt to win electoral contests. In spite of candidates’ general recognition of these viewpoints, very little empirical research has been conducted to examine the social perceptions held concerning Black women. The data presented here will allow for a more direct examination of public perceptions concerning Black female political candidates’ traits, ideologies, and electability, as differentiated in terms of skin tone. The results, by way of mock elections, demonstrate the ways society perceives Black women when they run for political office. Further, the results examine the effects of racism, sexism, and colorism on political candidate evaluations.
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