Misogynoir
Modern day social groups share certain characteristics and experience a lot of the same struggles. Black women are one example of a social group that share a particular experience and set of struggles.Created by queer black feminist in 2010, Moya Bailey, misogynoir describes the anti-Black racist misogyny that black women experience. Misogynoir is one of the main things making society a hostile place for black women to be in. Understanding misogynoir is quite impossible without examining both the internal and external identity, the history, and possible solutions to the issue.
In the beginning, black women’s body parts were deemed undesirable and unattractive by society. Our lips were too big. Our hair was too kinky. Our skin was too dark. Our thighs and behinds were too big. Now some of those same features are celebrated today - but only when attached to a body of a white woman. Misogynoir isn’t only external but internal as well. Way too commonly are black women viewed as ‘angry’ and ‘hostile’ by society, despite having lots to be mad about. The anger of a black woman is downplayed and often seen as unnecessary. Another important role in misogynoir is the over sexualization of black women. Both today and in history, the incompetent idea that black women were (described by Kesiena Boom of everdayfeminism.com) sexually insatiable was used to justify the rape and sexual harassment of black women.
Sojourner Truth, described by biography.com as ‘an African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist’, born 1797, spoke on misogynoir in her speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” delivered at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. Truth spoke on how black women are often left out of the previous status quo that women are supposed to be protected. She also explains how Black women are treated absolutely terribly. She got worked like a man (and beaten like a man) and so is considered less of a woman and therefore less of a human being. Women aren’t easily-broken items that need to be treated as a cardboard box labeled ‘fragile’.
When it comes to justice of black woman, we need to start with respect. Being both black and female, black women experience oppression from many angles. For so long, we’ve been belittled, disrespected, and mocked. A lot of times, misogynoir is ignored and overlooked. In order to eventually put a stop to misogynoir, we have to recognize it, name it, and call it out for what it is. Many people today have a single story on black women and are too ignorant to understand or accept anything other than.
As stated before, misogynoir is not complete without an understanding of the identity, history, and solutions. Identity is both internal and external and plays as a foundation for the topic at hand. History shows how this issue became and the wonderful people who have defended black women.Solving the issue of misogynoir is not attainable with the mindset of those uneducated and ignorant of their actions. Issues within social groups should not be ignored at all. In order to make our world a better place, we all have to be educated on issues that others face on a daily basis and do what we can to help.
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This is a very powerful essay, you did an amazing job!!!!
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