Anti-Blackness + Sexism = Misogynoir
“No other group in America has so had their identity socialized out of existence as have black women... when black people are talked about the focus tends to be on black men; and when women are talked about the focus tends to be on white women.” – bell hooks
Anti-Blackness Meets Sexism:
Advocate for Black Women
It’s your friendly neighborhood humanity consultant entering the space with an open heart. As a Black woman and survivor of domestic violence, I do this work because I’ve seen and experienced so much suffering in my life, from the loss of both my parents to my friends. Having witnessed a murder and being a leader in the community that people often go to for help, I get to firsthand see and experience the suffering that our communities are going through.
So many people in power have never experienced that level of suffering and so the sense of urgency isn't the same. Black women are the mothers, the sisters, the lovers, the aunties of some of the most targeted and most vulnerable. Statistically, Black women are the most targeted identity in the workplace. Many times we find ourselves being the voice to stand up for our communities, and what happens is that we get penalized for it. We get penalized for speaking up or staying silent. We get penalized for how we wear our hair, our clothes, and how we interrupt unacceptable behaviors. We get penalized for wanting, no, demanding to be treated as human beings. We are the mothers of society. We have birthed so many different cultures and generations, and we are lovers; we love all of our communities, across difference and across culture.
What I need you to do is I need you to stand up for Black women. Often times, we are the most attacked, and least protected, and we deserve better. What type of ancestor are you? Don't let Black women stand alone. Be an advocate, be an accomplice. Don't just stand by and let people attack and abuse Black women. You can stop the maltreatment of Black women by speaking up and interrupting some of the racist narratives I’ve shared below. What type of ancestor will you decide to be? I believe in you. Change begins with you and I.
“When Black women have the audacity to show up, ask up, and live up to our highest vision for ourselves, doing so may rankle the people around us. We should do it anyway.” - First and Only, Jennifer R Farmer
1 in 3 Black women leaders say they’ve been denied or passed over for opportunities because of personal characteristics, including their race or gender*
When they work on-site, women are almost 1.5x as likely to experience microaggressions compared to when they work mostly remote*
Vocabulary
Anti-Black Racism: policies and practices rooted in institutions such as, education, health care, and justice that mirror and reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping and/or discrimination towards people of Black-African descent.
Example: A Black employee is consistently given less desirable assignments or tasks compared to their non-Black colleagues, despite having the same or better qualifications and experience. This can create a perception that the Black employee is less capable or competent than their peers, and can limit their opportunities for professional growth and development. Additionally, if the Black employee speaks up about these disparities or raises concerns about discrimination, they may face retaliation or be labeled as "difficult" or "uncooperative." This type of racism can create a toxic work environment and contribute to high turnover rates among Black employees.
Misogynoir: the specific hatred, dislike, distrust, and prejudice directed toward Black women (often used attributively)
Example: Black woman is denied a job opportunity because of her race and gender. The employer may hold negative stereotypes about Black women, such as the belief that they are aggressive or incompetent, and use those stereotypes to justify their decision not to hire her.
Microaggressions are subtle or indirect forms of discrimination that target Black women specifically, based on the intersection of their race and gender. These microaggressions can take many forms, such as being ignored or dismissed in professional settings, being objectified or fetishized, facing stereotypes that portray Black women as aggressive or hypersexual, or being subjected to racist and sexist comments or jokes. These microaggressions can have a cumulative effect on Black women's mental health and well-being, and can contribute to systemic inequalities and discrimination. It is important to recognize and address these microaggressions in order to create more inclusive and equitable environments for Black women.
A specific example of a misogynoir microaggression could be a Black woman being told that she is "pretty for a dark-skinned girl." This comment is both racist and sexist, as it implies that dark skin is inherently less attractive and that Black women are not typically considered beautiful. It also suggests that the woman's beauty is an exception to the norm, rather than simply being a part of her identity. This type of microaggression can be harmful to a person's self-esteem and can contribute to a larger culture of discrimination against Black women.
Liberation
“When I liberate myself, I liberate others. If you don't speak out ain't nobody going to speak out for you.” — Fannie Lou Hamer, Civil Rights Activist
19 Microaggressions Against Black Women
Here are the definitions of the microaggression words that often happen to Black women:
Articulate – Microaggression: Describes a Black person who speaks well or in a way that is unexpected based on stereotypes of their race.
Exotic – Microaggression: Describes a Black person who is seen as different or unusual based on their race
Angry – Micro-aggression: Black women as being overly emotional or prone to anger.
Sassy – Micro-aggression: Term used to describe a Black woman who is seen as having an attitude or being disrespectful.
Strong – Micro-aggression: Black women as being physically or emotionally strong, often to the point of being invulnerable.
Loud - Micro-aggression: Black women as being loud or disruptive.
Aggressive - Micro-aggression: Black women as being overly assertive or hostile.
Unprofessional - Micro-aggression: Black women as being less competent or capable in professional settings.
Ghetto – Micro-aggression: Black women as being from lower-income or urban areas and lacking refinement.
Urban – Micro-aggression: Describes Black women as being from cities and lacking refinement.
Welfare queen – Micro-aggression: Black women as being dependent on government assistance and lacking work ethic.
Mammy – Micro-aggression: Black women as being nurturing and maternal, often in a subservient role to white people.
Jezebel – Micro-aggression: Black women as being sexually promiscuous or immoral.
Sapphire – Micro-aggression: Black women as being angry and emasculating to Black men.
Angry Black woman – Micro-aggression: Black women as being overly emotional and prone to anger.
Too opinionated – Micro-aggression: Black women as being overly assertive or aggressive in expressing their opinions.
Too emotional – Micro-aggression: Black women as being overly emotional or sensitive.
You're pretty for a Black girl – Micro-aggression: Black women as being less attractive than other women.
Can I touch your hair? – Micro-aggression: Black women and treat them as exotic or different.
What can I do to Fight Microaggressions Against Black Women?
Educate yourself – Learn about the experiences of Black women and the impact that microaggressions can have on them. This can help you to recognize and avoid engaging in these behaviors.
Speak up – If you witness someone engaging in a microaggression towards a Black woman, speak up and call it out. Let them know that their behavior is not acceptable and explain why.
Support Black women – Show your support for Black women by standing up for them, advocating for their rights, and being an ally in their fight against oppression.
Educate others – Share what you have learned about microaggressions against Black women with others. Educate your friends, family, and colleagues about the impact of these behaviors and how they can be harmful.
Support Black-owned businesses –Supporting Black-owned businesses is a way to show your support for Black women and help to combat systemic racism.
Listen – When a Black woman shares their experiences of microaggressions, listen to them and believe them. Don't dismiss their experiences or try to explain them away.
Amplify Black voices – Make an effort to amplify the voices of Black women in your personal and professional life. This can help to combat the marginalization that they often face.
Challenge systemic racism – Micro-aggressions against Black women are often rooted in systemic racism. It's important to challenge and dismantle these systems of oppression that perpetuate microaggressions and other forms of discrimination.
Advocate for change – Get involved in advocacy efforts to promote change in policies and practices that perpetuate micro-aggressions against Black women. This can include supporting organizations that work to promote equality and justice for Black women and other marginalized groups
* Source: McKinsey & Company
Author
Additional Resources
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