Abstract

This study uses discourse analysis of news articles published in Madison to examine media framings of Black girls and responses to their needs. Media analysis suggests that Black women in Madison act as othermothers to Black girls and play a key role in supporting Black girls in education and in other aspects of their lives. However, local newspapers give only a small amount of attention to Black women's efforts to support Black girls, so dominant local newspaper narratives about Black girls remain rooted in negative stereotypes. I argue that educators and researchers can model Black women's behavior towards Black girls.