Accessibility links
Anger: The Black Woman's 'Superpower' : Code Switch A Sapphire isn't only a jewel—it's also cultural shorthand for an angry black woman. In this episode, we look at where Sapphire was born, and how the stereotype continues to haunt black women, even successful, powerful ones.

Code Switch

Anger: The Black Woman's 'Superpower'

Anger: The Black Woman's 'Superpower'

Listen · 19:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/723322372/723353811" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

A Sapphire isn't only a jewel—it's also cultural shorthand for an angry black woman. In this episode, we look at where Sapphire was born, and how the stereotype continues to haunt black women, even successful, powerful ones.

Enlarge this image

Serena Williams of the U.S. screams in anger after missing a return from Roberta Vinci of Italy in their semi-final match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 11, 2015. Gary Hershorn/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Gary Hershorn/Corbis via Getty Images

Serena Williams of the U.S. screams in anger after missing a return from Roberta Vinci of Italy in their semi-final match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 11, 2015.

Gary Hershorn/Corbis via Getty Images