Black Girls and How We Fail Them

by Aria S. Halliday

From hip-hop moguls and political candidates to talk radio and critically acclaimed films, society communicates that Black girls don't matter and their girlhood is not safe. Alarming statistics on physical and sexual abuse, for instance, reveal the harm Black girls face, yet Black girls' representation in media still heavily relies on our seeing their abuse as an important factor in others' development. In this provocative new book, Aria S. Halliday asserts that the growth of diverse representation in media since 2008 has coincided with an increase in the hatred of Black girls.

Halliday uses her astute expertise as a scholar of popular culture, feminist theory, and Black girlhood to expose how we have been complicit in the depiction of Black girls as unwanted and disposable while letting Black girls fend for themselves. She indicts the way media mistreats celebrity Black girls like Malia and Sasha Obama as well as fictional Black girls in popular shows and films like A Wrinkle in Time. Our society's inability to see or understand Black girls as girls makes us culpable in their abuse. In Black Girls and How We Fail Them, a revelatory book for political analysts, hip-hop lovers, pop culture junkies, and parents, Halliday provides the critical perspective we need to create a world that supports, affirms, and loves Black girls. Our future depends on it.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published February 18, 2025

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this complex and incredibly well-written new release from the University of North Carolina Press, Aria S. Halliday explores the social devaluation of Black women and girls, their lack of protection in the social and legal systems, and the role that pop culture plays in perpetuating misogynoir and the systemic devaluation of Black girlhood. In drawing on multiple examples from recent pop culture-related headlines, Halliday guides readers through the media’s mistreatment and devaluation of Black girls and women, both real figures and fictional characters, and how these images become ingrained in the social consciousness. Deeply relevant and powerfully written, this book is an engrossing read that gender studies and film studies scholars must pick up immediately for its timeliness and brilliantly chosen anecdotes. The analysis is absolutely incredible -- detailed, complex, yet readable -- and Halliday’s insights are absolutely valuable to readers familiar and unfamiliar with the topics and incidents she discusses. An excellent companion piece to other similar titles and Halliday’s previous work, academics and readers from outside the academy will really appreciate Halliday’s straightforward and relatively jargon-free writing style, which makes this a great text for all sorts of readers looking to learn more about Black womanhood in modern media and critiques of how the media impacts viewers’ implicit biases and assumptions.

Thanks to NetGalley and University of North Carolina Press for the advance copy.

[Eden Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through case studies from popular media, Aria S. Halliday takes a critical lens to analyze misogynoir and how society fails Black girls. Often, they're projected to be fast, saviors, mean and hyper sexualized, but the obstacles others place upon them require Black girls to be self-sufficient and resourceful as they take control of their own destiny. As she brings the idea of the "missing Black girl" full circle throughout her analysis, Halliday calls society to hold itself accountable for the ways they repeatedly fail to support Black girls and women.

Evoking Audre Lorde's theory of self-love as resistance, Halliday asks Black women to speak truth to the pain we experienced growing up. Only then will we be able to provide a crucial safety net of support for Black girls. Only then we can begin to deconstruct harmful cycles of trauma and misogynoir and find the missing Black girls within ourselves.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book prior to its release date.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to check this book out as an advanced reader. I'm truly appreciative I was able to. I read a lot of different books about Black Women, Black Girls, and Feminism. I dedicated my Black History month to this book and truly enjoyed it. This book had such a good perspective on so many things that I have not seen in a lot of books or articles. I'm planning to use this book in the future for a curriculum assignment for my class on Black Women and Feminism. I can see so many people developing ideas and support from this. This book is truly needed for the Black community.

Thanks to NetGalley and University of North Carolina Press for the advance copy.

[Claudyne Vielot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to University of North Carolina Press and NetGalley for permission to read this work prior to its release date. “Black Girls and How We Fail Them” reads like a dissertation of the societal structures and media representations that inform and inhibit Black girlhood. From TV, movies to iconic Black women and their daughters, Halliday breaks down the stereotypes and expectations placed on them. The author shares her own stories of trauma and provides a comprehensive bibliography for further study. It’s not a happy read, but an important one.

[Ashley Elliott Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read and I appreciated the author's ability to use modern references to discuss misogynoir. It's allowed me to look at the ways black women and girls are portrayed in many scenarios differently, and recognize this occurring.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shines a light on the ways in which adults routinely fail Black girls. Media depictions often distort the lenses through which people view Black girls, including the ways in which Black girls view themselves. Black girls are valued and valuable, loved and lovable, despite how they are often depicted and treated.

This is a call to action, especially for content creators, teachers, and other adults, to challenge and change harmful depictions of Black girls. Black girls deserve to be honored, valued, and loved for who they are.

This book should be required reading for educator preparation programs in particular.