Misogynoir and how to be a better feminist
Photo courtesy of Fibonacci Blue / Wikimedia Commons
Megan Thee Stallion's story has uplifted millions of women who have fallen victim to violence. Her story has encouraged women to uplift and support one another despite the harmful narratives that continue to harm women of all backgrounds.
Megan Thee Stallion's music and public persona embody the spirit of Black feminism, challenging oppressive systems while celebrating Black womanhood. Through her lyrics, she takes back control over her body and sexuality, a core part of Black feminist thought. Her rise to fame has been marked by her ability to navigate and push back against misogynoir— the intersectionality of racism and sexism that Black women face. The 2020 shooting incident involving Tory Lanez brought these challenges into sharp focus. Despite being a victim of violence, Megan faced widespread shame and ridicule that continues to follow her to this day.
The way society often treats young Black girls and women as adults left Megan vulnerable to criticism and coercion. By reclaiming terms like “thot” and embracing Black female sexuality, Megan has challenged perceptions of her youth, but has also complicated how people talk about the shooting.
Instead of focusing on the violence she experienced, the conversation often turned to rumors about her relationship with Lanez and the series of events that led up to the shooting. Megan's confidence and unapologetic femininity have led some to believe she's less deserving of care and protection than other women in similar situations. These stereotypes silence Black women and keep them from getting the protection they deserve, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization in today's society.
Megan’s story retold a story we are too familiar with— how unprotected Black women are. The expectations they have for them to continue to suffocate until they eventually succumb to injuries can be seen manifesting in direct harm in the case of Megan. Megan is an example of prioritizing oneself through self-love, Black womanhood, confidence, and sexual liberation, which are inspired by millions of people. Violence against Black women is far too common and forgotten, leaving Black women with no support other than themselves.
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “black feminism is an intellectual, artistic, philosophical, and activist practice grounded in black women’s lived experiences. Its scope is broad, making it difficult to define.” Black feminists like Audre Lorde, Bell Hooks, Alice Walker, and Moya Bailey (who coined the term in 2008) have long championed anti-racist and feminist movements. Yet, despite their contributions, their successes are rarely celebrated amongst the public and are often forgotten.
Being a better feminist means putting in more effort to acknowledge and confront how racism and sexism have created unique experiences for Black women. Black feminism encourages one to think about how anti-Blackness operates within certain spaces. Unlearning internalized biases is an essential aspect of being an ally. It is important to reflect and learn how anti-Blackness occurs in your thinking and how to challenge the systems that perpetuate these biases.
Another important thing to note is to listen to and amplify the voices of those around you. Allyship is important. It is one of the best ways to keep a movement going. We can’t, however, prioritize the voices of those who have not been in our position before. Understanding the lived experiences, struggles, and triumphs is crucial. The voices of the Black community must be given space so that they are able to share and express their own narratives.
Be proactive in challenging harmful narratives, especially if you know they are incorrect. Whether you hear it in passing, in a conversation, through the media, or from a friend or family member spreading harmful stereotypes, confronting these harmful perspectives can help prevent these words from harming others.