Systemic Xenophobia in Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other: A Critical Race Study

Abstract

This study examines systemic xenophobia in Bernardine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other (2019) by applying Derrick Bell’s concept of interest convergence to understand how racial hierarchies structure the experiences of Black British women. The novel’s portrayal of intersecting forms of race, gender, and class reveals the ongoing influence of colonial legacies that shape contemporary British society. Using a qualitative design and textual analysis grounded in Critical Race Theory, the research explores how xenophobia operates as a structural force embedded across institutions. The analysis demonstrates that characters such as Amma and Carole experience limited, reversible, and conditional forms of racial inclusion, confirming Bell’s argument that progress for marginalized groups aligns with dominant interests. The study recommends countering systemic xenophobia through anti-racist institutional reforms, inclusive educational practices, community-centered narratives, and literary interventions that challenge tokenism and cultivate equitable representation.