ALT Black women's dual subordinate identities (black and woman) create unique experiences in America which are often erased or ignored. Studies focusing on race center on black men, while studies on gender focus on white women. Richie's (1985, 2012) trap of loyalty, the cultural and emotional exploitation of black women, helps to provide insight into black women's unique perspectives in America. The trap of loyalty consists of three defining qualities: (1) Black women are more privileged than black men; (2) Black women are expected to endure their abuse in silence; and (3) Black women are expected to buffer their family from racism. This study answers the question: In what ways is the black woman's experience in the United States today defined, or not defined, by the trap of loyalty? In this study, I conduct one-on-one interviews with 8 black women and femmes to examine the absence or presence of the three defining qualities. Findings indicate that black women and femmes are expected to pr