Misogynoir Transformed
A study guide of Moya Bailey’s 2021 book ‘Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance.’
Comprehension
Before engaging in a critical analysis of misogynoir as outlined by Bailey, we must first make sure we understand what she is saying. Take the following questions and answer them in your own words. When doing so, try to limit the number of sentences you use and aim to explain these concepts succinctly. To double-check your work, or if you are truly stuck, you may visit the summary sections that address the question.
Why were displays of Black women as their stereotypes (animalistic, strong, insatiable, sexual deviants, etc.) allowed to persist in America and eventually transcend into the digital world?
What is digital alchemy? What are the similarities and differences between defensive digital alchemy and generative digital alchemy? How are they both used to push against misogynoir?
Think on Bailey’s quote: “These caricatures also amused audiences because of their insistence on their physical beauty despite their masculine features and usually dark skin, the complete opposite traits of desirability and beauty in a white supremacist culture” (p. 39). How is the usage of Black men’s drag of Black women, usually dark-skin women, a direct link to why colorism is a factor within the Black community especially in regards to dating and or romantic and intimate relationships?
How was it made possible that trans women, and others in the trans community, were able to communicate with others especially in a digital space? And how does it benefit the community, health- and safety-wise, when these actions transcend the digital space?
When thinking about Black women’s femininity and womanhood, they are looked down upon even now because of outdated ideologies in stark contrast to white women’s femininity and womanhood which is placed on a pedestal. Why is it that Black women’s womanhood is the antithesis to white women’s womanhood, yet white women’s womanhood is still in a way deemed to be the ‘answer’ and aspirational to and for Black women?
Given the unfortunately short life spans of trans people, specifically Black trans women, and the gender hierarchy in our current society regardless of sexual orientation, is it possible that there could also be a gendered hierarchy within the trans community?
In chapters 1 and 3, Bailey exemplifies the use of toxic masculinity coming from masculine-presenting women as a means to evade the harm that comes with misogynoir by being perpetrators of toxic masculinity towards other more feminine presenting women. How does being a masculine-presenting person and being able to use masculinity as a shield from misogynoir protect them in regards to gender (roles)?
How can masculine-presenting women use their masculinity as a way to abuse feminine presenting women and other women especially those with whom they are in intimate romantic relationships with?
“Will we create a social media platform built on transformative and design justice principles that transforms misogynoir before it’s even noticeable?” (p. 143)
“How has the violence directed at Black women and girls become a viral sensation?” (p. 57)