Misogynoir Transformed

Intersections: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Genders and Sexualities

by Bailey

Where racism and sexism meet―an understanding of anti-Black misogyny

When Moya Bailey first coined the term misogynoir , she defined it as the ways anti-Black and misogynistic representation shape broader ideas about Black women, particularly in visual culture and digital spaces. She had no idea that the term would go viral, touching a cultural nerve and quickly entering into the lexicon. Misogynoir now has its own Wikipedia page and hashtag, and has been featured on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and CNN’s Cuomo Prime Time . In Misogynoir Transformed , Bailey delves into her groundbreaking concept, highlighting Black women’s digital resistance to anti-Black misogyny on YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, and other platforms.

At a time when Black women are depicted as more ugly, deficient, hypersexual, and unhealthy than their non-Black counterparts, Bailey explores how Black women have bravely used social-media platforms to confront misogynoir in a number of courageous―and, most importantly, effective―ways. Focusing on queer and trans Black women, she shows us the importance of carving out digital spaces, where communities are built around queer Black webshows and hashtags like #GirlsLikeUs.

Bailey shows how Black women actively reimagine the world by engaging in powerful forms of digital resistance at a time when anti-Black misogyny is thriving on social media. A groundbreaking work, Misogynoir Transformed highlights Black women’s remarkable efforts to disrupt mainstream narratives, subvert negative stereotypes, and reclaim their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Race, Social Justice, Gender, Theory, Activism

241 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Althea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been aware of Moya Bailey's work for a wee while now, and I was really intrigued to pick up this book, particularly because it focusses on misogynoir - the term that she herself coined - in relation to Black women and people of marginalised genders through technology. There are some really great points raised in this book. First of all, I was really pleased that, in the introduction, there is discussion on the proper terminology to use that encompasses all those who are negatively affect by misogynoir, so as not to exclude the experiences of trans and nonbinary people. Although I do feel that trans men and other transmasculine people were left out of the discussion, it is a good start. I learned a lot while reading this book, particularly in the first two chapters which focus on misogynoir as being like 'drag' in the multiple ways that the word is used, and about trans advocacy across online platforms. I also found other activists and literature that I am interested in researching more to further develop my knowledge on the topics raised. Despite other reviewers explaining that they felt that the research paper style of this book wasn't for them, I actually quite enjoyed it, as I am very used to reading similar papers. Though there were some aspects of the writing style and repetitiveness that felt clunky, I am aware that I read an advance copy, and so I'm sure these will be ironed out in the finial book.

Despite this, however, I did have some issues with the book - specifically the third chapter of the book, which really delves into the phenomenon of web-series written by Black people of marginalised genders. In general, I did learn quite a bit in this chapter, and I appreciated the analyses of these shows that display how they are tools used by Black people of marginalised genders to showcase healing and other necessary representation. However, I did not appreciate the constant demonization of masculine lesbians throughout the chapter. In the previous chapter Lena Waithe and Syd are brought up as examples of displaying internalised misogyny and misogynoir in interviews, which is a completely valid point to bring up, however it then went into almost tarring all masculine lesbians with the same brush and then going on to say several times that masculine lesbians are perpetrators of toxic masculinity. Lesbians can never emulate toxic masculinity - they can emulate internalised misogyny that manifests in toxic and at times abusive behaviour, but they are never wielders of toxic masculinity as they are not men.

This happens on several instances throughout the rest of the book, and even goes on to suggest that masculine lesbians are somewhat the oppressors of their femme counterparts - again, when feminine lesbians who are not as easily 'clocked' as being lesbians are more accepted in wider society, it is not masculine lesbians who are oppressing them. One point that really irked me was talking about the Bechdel Test, and the author suggested a new form of this test where the female characters talk to each other about something other than a masculine-of-centre person. Masculine lesbians, masculine nonbinary people and trans men are not the oppressors of cis women and feminine nonbinary people!!!! How many times does it need to be said!! Instead of this, there could have been a much needed discussion on why this type of representation is actually very harmful towards these groups and adds, instead, to the lesbophobia and transphobia they face.

Other than that there was a weird instance in the text where transphobic representation of trans women in media is discussed - and the author does make some very good points - however then explains that mainstream lesbian and gay media often neglects and undermines trans women as well as cishet media. And, yes that is absolutely the case but it felt strange to me that the author chose to explicitly exclude bi, pan and other queer people from this discussion - it added to the almost, I'm hesitant to say it, lesbophobic feel of some of the authors arguments.

Though I do say that, this is a very, very valuable book and I still do recommend picking it up as Bailey raises some very interesting points - I would maybe just do your own research and analysis on what in mentioned in chapter three, too.

Thanks to Netgalley and NYU Press for an eARC in return for an honest review!

Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important read for anyone who wants to understand the issues at the intersection of the Black experience and feminism in the digital age. Moya Bailey dives deep into the experience of black women on the internet and how they have since the beginning of the digital age, been mistreated. She coined the term Misogynoir for this. This covers everything from the insulting, stereotyped tropes of Black women as jezebel characters, as un-feminine and more. In this book, she takes a look at how many Black women have been pushing back against misogynoir to carve out their own space and voice on the internet. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

[2TReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey takes us through the evolution of her coined term, what influenced her to create it, what it means for Black women today, how it has been used to shape the perceptions and treatments that are aimed specifically at Black women, how it has morphed and changed with the times, what it has led to socially and policy wise, and the ways in which Black women, queer and trans women, and agender individuals are fighting back.

Each chapter delves into the damaging portrayals of Black women, the different forms they take, who is involved in the perpetuation, and how it is received by audiences.

Through this exploration, Bailey is educating, highlighting and getting a conversation started, because misogynoir is a very real and harmful presence in the lives of Black women queer and trans women, and agender individuals of differing identities in the queer community.

What is shown through her research and observations is how misogynoir is being challenged and dismantled media by media, platform by platform, person by person by these strong and purpose driven individuals and groups.

This work as acknowledged by Bailey, should be used as a starting point in the recognition of the work that is being done and still needs to be done and also as a foundation upon which more work that investigates and calls out the pernicious effects of misrepresentation of a particular community can be built.

Written in accessible language, this work is truly illuminating and is necessary in light of all that is still being perpetuated through all forms of media regarding the bodies and behaviours of Black, queer, trans women, and agender individuals; how they are all affected socially, through policy, and in all aspects of their lives, as well as the ways in which they are fighting back and overthrowing all negative stereotypes of them.

[Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley! :)

Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a wonderful nonfiction book that acts not only as an informative read but also as a wonderful insight into the past decade of pop-culture through a Black and intersectional lens. Bailey’s exploration of race, misogyny, gender identity and all of their overlapping threads provide excellent and highly researched commentary on the representation of Black women and Black femme-aligned people.

What I really loved about this book was how it did not coddle the white reader regarding the harsh reality of living as a Black woman or Black femme-aligned person. The experiences of Black people were centred no matter whether it be regarding the pain and the social outcry following or whether it be surrounding joy and a celebration of identity. This is something done especially well: Black intersectional identities were a large focus of this book whether it be intersections of gender or sexuality or gender presentation or class. This book considers such a wonderfully wide range of people - with a particularly notable section exploring the stereotypes and roles of Black lesbians and sapphics - and is respectful and professional when referring to all of them.

One of Bailey’s main focuses throughout the book is the use of social media and television and their respective portrayals of Black women and Black femmes. She particularly discusses how they reclaimed sites and hashtags and stereotypes formed in visual media for their own as to empower themselves, citing examples such as Janet Mock’s #GirlsLikeUs. I think utilising social media and offering it as a tool for marginalised voices is a wonderful idea and something that modern nonfiction needs to include more of! The subtitle of the book ‘Black Women’s Digital Resistance’ conveys the importance of the digital world in modern society and how platforms can be used to spread joy and unite marginalised groups, not just be a place for them to receive hatred.

Ultimately, Bailey’s Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a must read for anyone who wants a deep insight into the digital history of Black women and Black femme-aligned people due to its careful, considerate and academic style and the modern themes and ideas that it explores.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

I really wanted to love this one as I have such an enormous amount of respect for Moya Bailey and absolutely jumped at the chance to read her first solo book, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Part of that could very well be expectations--this very much reads like a long academic paper, including a conclusion that has a paragraph summarizing each previous part of the book, and I just don't find that format engaging or inspiring. It was a bit dense for non-academic readers, IMO, with details that felt like they'd be better placed in footnotes or end notes for flow. The concept was super interesting, and I could tell that this was a very thoughtful piece with a lot of work that went into it. I thought exploring the transformation of misogynoir in the digital sphere is both super relevant and not something I've seen laid out so specifically, but though, of course, it's necessary to narrow the lens somewhat to explore these issues and keep them in scope, I sometimes felt a bit stuck in the specificities of the examples being provided. I'm glad I read it, and I'll continue to keep an eye out for future books from Moya Bailey, and I think if you go into this one understanding you're getting an academic paper in book form, that'll help manage expectations.


**ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the best scholarly work I’ve read this year. A must read for scholars in the humanities, public health, public policy, etc. and an absolute must read for anyone who calls themselves a feminist.

[Hilmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes to self:
Saartjie (Sara) Baartman, member of the Gonaquasub group of the Khoikhoi & ”objective science” 1789-1815, 1994 South African President Nelson Mandela formally requested that Baartman’s remains be returned to South Africa, not returned until 2002
Black women not having a body to defend
Misogynior has material, physical & psychological consequences
Iconography used to uphold subservience & dehumanization in popular imagery often set up in binaries, archetype example Sapphire - sassy, mean, emasculating men, not sapphic love or desire, historic & modern digital minstrelcy
WHO definition of health is complete physical, mental and social well-being in the face of systemic racism & sexism
Limits of nonbinary, agender & gender variant boxes
Not all of these Black digital alchemists are women and not all of them are feminists.
Defensive and generative kinds of digital alchemy, social media as health practice
Harm reduction as an intervention strategy
Differences in portrayal blur the line between impersonation and caricature
Breaking the fourth wall in IP/DV represented in shows

Henrietta Lacks, Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy in the 1880s, life changing Spellman professors, Kimberly Wallace Sanders, Rekia Boyd, Sakia Gunn, The New Jersey four, Kimberlee Crenshaw, Hortense Spillers, Sojourner Truth, Dajerria Becton, CeCe McDonald, Brandy Martell, Lorena Escalera, Sandra Bland, Mariame Kaba + Shira Hassan & transformative justice, Dr Amina Wadud & Black Women Adjacent, AJ Clearway & Hilda Viloria on intersex people, adrienne maree brown & pleasure activism, bell hooks, Melissa Harris Perry, Patricia Hill Collins, Paula Giddings, Brittany Cooper, & another Black women activist historian, Laverne Cox & the possibility model, June Jordan, Audre Lorde, Cheryl Dunye, Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Janet Mock, Doris Silva Santana (Mas Viva), Angela Davis, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Mariame Kaba, Mary Hooks & so many more. I apologize for the many I missed

Survived & punished, #girlslikeus #twoc #freeCeCe #sayhername #Blackwomendragback #yourslipisshowing

[Emily St. Amant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really important book. I learned some perspectives I hadn’t considered before, and this is a good examination of current manifestations of how technology is either empowering or being used as a tool of oppression and marginalization. I can’t give it five stars primarily due to the writing style. I didn’t mind the research paper feel but at times it felt repetitive and that several points were labored upon for far too long.

[Joelle Byars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey explores the way racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia have evolved in the digital age, but moreso, how these tools are used to form communities that are able to speak out with heightened visibility. Misogynoir Transformed (2021) is based on the term “misogynoir” which was coined by Baily to discuss the anti-Black and misogynistic representations of Black women, specifically in the visio-digital sphere.

Bailey extends Collins’ controlling images (the “mammy,” “welfare mother,” and “jezebel”) to the modern day, noting their evolution in a world increasingly visual and online. She also includes extensions of the three images provided by Collins, such as the Sapphire (rude, emasculating, demanding) or the “strong Black woman.” Most importantly, Bailey criticizes the “assumptions about our [Black women’s] sexual availability to men in the form of unsolicited commentary on our bodies, on our clothing, and on our time.” She claims that many visual depictions of Black women frame them as ugly, deficient, hypersexual, and unhealthy in comparison to a dominant whiter, maler model.

While the digital world is the primary focus of this book, she is clear that the digital sphere has very real consequences. She states, “The stress and material consequences of systemic oppression make it nearly impossible to have physical, mental, and social well-being in a white supremacist patriarchal country.” Some examples she gives are quick, such as the ways “popular culture seeped into the consciousness of supposedly objective future physicians.” This context is particularly troubling when considering the long and tragic history between the Black community, especially women, and the medical institution. She gives other examples of medical mistreatment of Black women, like the theft of cells from Henrietta Lacks post-mortem for cancer research or in the last few years, the assumption by medical professionals that Black people were dying of COVID-19 due to incorrect handwashing practices or lack of wearing masks (despite there being no evidence that Black people were contracting COVID at an elevated rate, only dying of it).

Bailey is explicit in this intersection of the digital and the real stating, “misogynistic representations allow Black women to be ignored in society without guilt and allow for people to profit from these enduring negative images at the expense of real Black women’s lives.” Bailey believes that accurate visibility in the digital sphere is essential for Black women visibility in the world. She warns of the dangers of this with the harrowing example of missing Black women and girls and that, due to the way in which we currently disregard Black woman lives, “there is little public outcry when we are violated or exploited.” Additionally, Bailey explains in regard to the backlash on Black women and the “emasculation” endured by Black men, particularly when the woman is the breadwinner, she states, “Rather than address the structural impediments that make it difficult for Black men to find work, Moynihan pathologized the Black family, painting Black women’s marginal success in finding work outside the home as a form of emasculation that further inhibited Black men’s industry by making them depressed.” Outside of depression, this phenomenon of masculine fragility and “emasculation” and its physical dangers to the Black woman’s body can be found in countless locations across media, literature, and the digital sphere, such as in Natasha Trethewey’s Memorial Drive (2020). These dangers are often amplified for trans women, especially Black trans women, as discussed in Mock’s Redefining Realness (2014) which describes the fear and anger she was met with by a man she was seeing after revealing she was not assigned female at birth. Where Mock was able to live to tell the tale, both her and Bailey are clear that homophobia and emasculation are frequently the catalysts for potentially deadly forms of violence against the Black woman body.

Despite this, she highlights the positive applications of the digital world, allowing for community to blossom in spheres previously untouched, such as with Black queer and trans women. She is clear that women who undergo various forms of oppression under, to use Collins’ term, matrices of domination often use the digital world to connect with people who are like them through methods like webshows and hashtags like, “#GirlsLikeUs.” Bailey claims that, in a similar argument as Gates in The Signifying Monkey (1988), Black women reimagine and reconstruct the physical and digital world to further their own empowerment (as Gates contends with the doubling of language as resistance to the dominant, white culture) and provide a real-life example of, as she puts it, the “unique nexus of experience.” Both Collins and Bailey point out that where the feminist can rely on whiteness or the Black male can rely on his male, patriarchal privilege, there is no such structure for Black women. Bailey believes that Black women will need to self-define and self-represent to combat the anti-Black misogyny that is so frequently spread online. In plain terms, Bailey advocates for Black women to fight fire with fire, visuals with visuals, media with media, internet with internet to combat the damaging, controlling images that permeate the online world.

Bailey’s hopes for the book are so people can “understand why their behavior was [or is] harmful” and, like a more nuanced, comprehensive, and ethos-driven companion piece to DiAngelo’s White Fragility (2018), she hopes “this text can serve as an opening, a place to […] hopefully start them on a path to transform their behavior.” The digital world, in a lot of ways, is a new territory for scholarship and policy. Since it is so new, it can serve as a blank slate to start deconstructing these matrices of domination, but that is only possible if the people who perpetuate things like the misogynoir learn from their behavior and begin to make a change. Isn’t that what most of these scholars all wish for?

[Ebony Purks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I expected nothing less from Moya Bailey. “Misogynoir Transformed” is very research-heavy and the premise examines and discusses misogynoir and Black women, non-binary, and agender people’s efforts surrounding “digital resistance” and online-perpetuated harm reduction from a purely academic standpoint.

Because of Moya Bailey's work surrounding racial and gender justice for Black women, this book is a must-read, especially necessary in the way it allows readers to learn about Black women, non-binary, and agender people's digital activism by creating an archive of what's been done effectively thus far, what could improve, and what is yet to be done overall.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

basic, introductory archive of instances of digital resistance for ppl affected by misogynoir. very descriptive and intentional abt language. text could’ve benefitted with more discussions centering colorism and solutions seemed mostly descriptive. liked ode to the good ole tumblr before it was overrun.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This book was an important read.
Firstly, as others have said, it does read like a complex research paper in many parts. Whilst I enjoyed this early on, it did become tedious as the book went on, and arguably makes the contents partially inaccessible to those who aren't overly familiar with critical theory. Whilst complicated at times, this book discusses many topics that require such an approach, and as such should not be criticised for delving into it's topics in this way. I am only mentioning this so readers are aware.
Bailey has beautifully explored and articulated numerous examples of misogynoir in the physical and digital worlds. Analysing specific examples, and considering the wider theory, this book is an important read for considering the impact and experiences of black women specifically, discussing the intersectionality often overlooked in many feminist and anti-racist discussions.
Significant to note here is one of my favourite elements in this book, the consideration of queer identities. Bailey refers to 'black non-binary, agender, and gender-variant folks', acknowledging the effect of misogynoir on those who are not 'black women', whilst also highlighting the experiences of black trans women as a central focus.
This level of inclusivity, and therefore the depth of consideration, is a major credit to Bailey.
As a new release, I would particularly recommend this to those who really began the process of educating themselves on racism following the events of 2020, as it provides a 'recap' to modern anti-racism, focusing specifically on the often-overlooked misogynoir.
Overall, I learnt a huge amount from 'Misogynoir Transformed'. I highly recommend it.

[A YOGAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

In „Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women’s Digital Resistance“ analysiert Moya Bailey die vielfältigen Strategien, mit denen Schwarze Frauen im digitalen Raum gegen die spezifische Doppelbelastung aus Sexismus und Rassismus – eben Misogynoir, ein von Bailey geprägtes Kofferwort aus Misogynie und dem französischen noir („schwarz“) – Widerstand leisten. Das Buch verbindet theoretische Schärfe mit konkreten Beispielen aus Social Media, Popkultur und Aktivismus und zeigt, wie digitale Plattformen nicht nur Orte der Diskriminierung, sondern auch der Selbstermächtigung sein können. Bailey schreibt zugleich analytisch und empathisch, ohne in kulturpessimistische Klagen zu verfallen: Sie interessiert sich für die kreativen Formen der Gegenwehr, die Sprache, Humor und Sichtbarkeit als politische Werkzeuge einsetzen. So wird „Misogynoir Transformed“ zu einem grundlegenden Beitrag der Schwarzen feministischen Theorie und zu einem inspirierenden Dokument digitaler Selbstbehauptung.

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well-written book. The first 33% was obviously painstakingly written. Every sentence was pondered over and rewritten many times to maximize clarity and flow. That tapered off as the book went on. It started out feeling very academic, but that tapered off as well. Eventually, this book started to feel a little bit like a blog post about her favorite TV shows and social media posts, and then she came back around to tie it all into her thesis, but it felt like she was taking a moment to fangirl... that's probably too harsh, Baily did tie it all in, it just felt like she got a bit carried away on the stuff she liked.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this sociological examination of how black women queer, trans and nonbinary women are turning misogynoir on its head by occupying cyberspace and speaking back, using networking building hashtags to create community, doing webshows to highlight the concerns of black queer women and using tumblr to document their lives. This book might be a bit dense for a non-academic reader but its is worth a read.

*Thanks to NYU Press & NetGalley for this Ebook in exchange for my honest review

[Mateo Dk · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was... fine? i was interested in some aspects of black internet activism i wasn't aware of and in how moya bailey expanded on her theories of misogynoir but it also felt like at times the text was artificially puffed up by making connections that weren't there (focusing in on how misogynoir internet comments correlate to hate crimes against black women by focusing on the word drag, for example).

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the way that the author constructed the topics for each chapter was very clever; she discussed how members of the outside world from police to Black men to even Black masculine-of-center women perform actions that can be damaging to the view of Black women. She also discussed movements on a variety of scales that try to combat the damaging effects of these actions

[Annie Jarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The front half was very tight, with good descriptive work and narrative. The second half was tiresome, as the author went through some web shows scene by scene without much explanation of why it mattered or connected to the rest of the book.
Still, there isn’t much research on this topic so props for the pioneering effort.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely important book by the coiner of the term “misogynoir.” Details the ways in which Black women, non-binary, trans, and gender non-conforming folk are using digital platforms to resist oppression and create harm-reducing communities.

[Sydney Triola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Everyone needs to read this book.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

😜

[Lauren Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

This book is a must read for anyone that is in the digital resistance space. Well written and heavy, but I enjoyed it a great deal.

[Scott Neigh]

A useful window into various ways in which online creation has been used to navigate and respond to oppression. Very careful and scholarly, but still quite readable.

[eva ₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s a deep dive and intimate analysis of very specific examples — not what i expected but i deeply respect the dedication it took & the compassion/consciousness exemplified.

[Tessel Zweege · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about Bailey’s coined term misogynoir and really important, sad and uplifting takes on its prevelance and resistance to it. I really like Bailey’s work in general