Student Submission – Final Project VCU FA24

In this project, I seem to have learned how deep and widespread misogynoir is in digital platforms. Misogynoir, which has been coined by scholar Moya Bailey, is a term derived from racism of Black women. At first, I treated misogynoir as a phenomenon where Black women are discriminated against. When I was trying to know more about it, I did not know how it affects black women mentally, emotionally and on a personal level and how even some black men perpetrate this. Through participating in this project I learnt how social media, a network that links people together and a platform for the display of their achievements is a hub for hate. The algorithms that define these spaces remain driven by negative emotions to execute and amplify content that harms, and also silence content that heals such communities. This was especially so developing art deemed online that described the feeling of harassment and defiance. It will be recalled that the cracks in the image where appealing messages of strength and collective support existed side by side with messages of hatred and bigotry. The problem of misogynoir is even more layered given that black women exist in and interact with both the harms of online digital spaces and the strong support of online communities.

When I started expanding on this knowledge I understood there is actually a problem one can do something against, misogynoir has to be fought; there are hatred and prejudices rooted that one has to change. Online abuse of black women as a phenomenon cannot be understood as a separate problem but as part of racism and sexism in the modern world. Digital platforms have the accountability of both balancing biased algorithms, moderating content, and responding to users experiencing harassment on digital platforms efficiently. Additionally, on an individual basis, it is possible to fight against misogynoir by advocating for black women, sharing their stories and supporting networks that provide good messages, and also reporting on perpetrators of aggressive actions on the internet. In my view one of the ways to counter the emotional cost of misogynoir is by building women and particularly women of color solidarity. Illustrated in the art made during the project the use of hashtags like #blackgirlmagic, #sayhername and many others are the ways people can unite in order to fight negative tendencies and build safe digital communities. Furthermore, as we create awareness for misogynoir we must also ensure that people understand the nature, manifestations and the effect of misogynoir on Black women.

Finally, fighting misogynoir in digital media will necessitate a mainstream global culture shift as well as specific policies and practices embraced by people. With the realization of these politics both online and offline, black women can find encouragement and safe spaces to fully express themselves without the threat of racist and/or sexual harassment. This project has further affirmed my understanding that it is a BIG problem but hard working black women singly and in groups are even BIGGER. That is why power combined with action is the precondition of change today.