How Misogynoir Contributes to the Experiences of Black Women

In the words of James Baldwin: “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman.” 

We have seen over and over how Black women are treated when simply existing. Recently, Black women like Kamala Harris have experienced public eye scrutiny for simply reaching a new level of success as the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 election. 

This is not a political debate about who should win the presidential election or even about the qualifications of either candidate. In stead, this is a discussion about how misogynoir affects all Black women by bringing up traumatic experiences that we all may have experienced despite our leadership role.

What is misogynoir?

Misogynoir is a term used to describe the intersection of anti-black racism and sexism that affect Black women daily. It combines the word misogyny with the French term noir which means black. The term is rather new and was coined by Moya Bailey to describe the hatred and prejudice towards Black women. 

Many things contribute to Black women’s interaction with misogynoir. If we were to break it down, however, it can be directly attributed to the messages displayed through mainstream media and years of deep-rooted trauma in the Black community. Whether it's debates about who women date or what they bring to the table, there is always a discussion about how women should behave and what they should be given. 

Likewise, stemming back to enslavement, many Black women were treated as property and experienced physical and emotional trauma. Years later, this is no different from what is often displayed today. The effects of racism and sexism are unfortunately embedded in our everyday life. It creeps up when we’re the only Black person in a room. Or, when we discuss why white men are generally paid more than Black women and other women of color.

You may be asking why dismantling misogynoir matters. The answer to this would be because of the systemic effect it has on Black women. Misogynoir goes far beyond a simple comment about the hatred of Black women. In fact, if that were all it was, then it may be less harmful. 

But instead, misogynoir uses hate to knock Black women down and ruin their credibility as a person. It forces people to view Black women as someone they shouldn’t respect or consider. 

Let’s take Kamala Harris as an example. When announced as the presidential election nominee for the Democratic party, immediately some people questioned her qualifications simply because she was a Black woman. Without looking at her credentials or history as an attorney general in California, she was placed under scrutiny.  

Shortly after Harris was chosen as the Democratic nominee, a video resurfaced from 2021 with Sen. JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, acknowledging that Harris had no children. Along with other Democrats, Vance referred to Harris as a childless cat lady who is “miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” 
This issue doesn’t just affect Kamala Harris or women in high leadership positions — it affects all Black women no matter our background. As I scroll on social media I see an influx of messages about self-care from other Black clinicians like myself.

It’s almost as if we’re bracing ourselves for the upcoming election and its effect on our clients. How will internalize what’s happening? How do I support them? What feelings will this election bring up in those who like Vice President Harris? Whether you agree with her political views or not, she is a Black woman, and seeing her be put in the spotlight and ridiculed can bring up a lot of emotions.

The first step is continuing to bring awareness to the bigger issue. Misogynoir is not simply a feeling, but it's a systemic barrier that many Black women don’t have the language to describe. As a Black woman, it can be difficult to navigate systems of oppression. Whether in the workplace, school settings or while you’re simply walking your dog. 

BEGIN YOUR HEALING JOURNEY AT RESTORITY SPACE

You don’t have to battle these barriers alone. I work primarily with Black and brown millennial women as they navigate stepping into their identity in a sometimes cruel world. Speaking to a therapist about your experiences can help you identify how this may show up in your life. 

I would be honored to support you in your journey to healing. 

Schedule a 15-minute consultation with me here.