Domestic Contradictions

Focusing on the intersection of race, class, gender, and sexuality, this work examines the evolution of welfare practices in the U.S. through the lens of Black women's experiences. By revisiting the Freedmen's Bureau era and drawing parallels to late twentieth-century welfare reform, it reveals how stereotypes like the "vagrant" and "welfare queen" have historically targeted Black women. Kandaswamy critiques dominant narratives, arguing that the representation of Black women as threats shaped state policies and reflects broader societal constructs around citizenship and productivity.