Unbought and Unbossed

In the Introduction to Unbought and Unbossed, Shirley Chisholm establishes the historic significance of her election to Congress while critically examining the societal conditions that made her achievement both groundbreaking and troubling. Writing in 1970, Chisholm begins by highlighting the stark demographics of the current House of Representatives, noting that among 435 members, 417 are white males, with only ten women and nine Black representatives serving. As someone who belongs to both underrepresented groups, Chisholm explains that her unique position transformed her into what she describes as a celebrity and spectacle rather than simply a legislator. She points out that her distinction as the first Black woman elected to Congress after 192 years of American history reveals fundamental inequalities in what should be a just and free society.

Chisholm describes her constituency in Brooklyn’s 12th congressional district as predominantly composed of Black and Puerto Rican residents (69%), along with Jewish, Polish, Ukrainian, and Italian communities, all facing severe urban challenges including inadequate housing, high unemployment, insufficient medical care, elevated crime rates, and underfunded schools. While acknowledging her pride in representing these long-neglected communities, Chisholm expresses hope that her legacy will ultimately rest on her accomplishments rather than her demographic identity.