In this book the author Moya Bailey focuses on the impact of "misogynoir" in regard to women of colour, highlighting how it has continued to hinder their opportunities, and minimise their personal experiences, while also tackling subjects such as murder and abuse alongside that. She also explores how women of colour, including cis, queer, and trans individuals, are utilizing digital platforms to challenge harmful narratives perpetuated about them through symbolic violence (Pierre Bourdieu), allowing them to redefine their complex identities and empower communities by creating safe spaces to share ideas and find solidarity both inside and outside of cyberspace. With that I will share some of my own personal experiences in regard to this subject as well as some pages and parts of this book that I found eye-opening;
Although focusing on the USA, experiencing misogynoir is not exclusive to one country, but rather a global phenomenon that I can also relate to. l am very much an introvert, I quite enjoy keeping to myself, however on many occasions I've been perceived as being domineering or obnoxious when voicing my thoughts, as being dramatic or aggressive when sharing my emotions. Other times I've been looked at as some sort of avaricious siren due to my appearance (I'm very curvy in the front and back), rather than being seen as the individual that I truly am (not a distorted video vixen trope). Even when I'm upset or hurt by those I care about, apparently I'm just meant to be "strong" and carry on as a living projection of this misconception; almost dismissing the fact that I too can be someone who can break, just as anyone else could when the crosses we bear in life become too heavy of burden. For example imagine meeting a potential partner's family and being asked if you could speak English, and if you had a passport. Despite the fact that you're a British citizen and fluent in your country's native tongue. It's demeaning right? In my opinion change is definitely needed here in regard to these stereotypes. However this wont happen if no one is willing to acknowledge or talk about it. As the saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover, but you can open it, listen and take a walk in the author's shoes respectfully and without prejudice.
https//youtu.be/amGzw_neV6w (A webinar from the Society for Health Psychology on health around WOC)
https://youtu.be/xSbdW9si&sw (A short from BBC ideas on WOC mental health)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_violence#:~:text=Symbolic%20violence%20describes%20a%20type,those%20of%20the%20subordinate%20group (Definition of symbolic violence by sociologist Pierre Bourdieu)
Addendum: I had to leave my GP recently due to the fact that he was not taking my health issues seriously. Every time I had a concern, he would always "mansplain" to me about conditions I've had for the majority of my life. Especially if I felt my symptoms were getting worse, he would make me seem as if I'm being hysterical/psychosomatic. Yet anyone would have some form of anxiety if the person who was meant to help you with your health refused to listen to you in regard to it, this is why awareness of the gender pain gap is so important. It is ridiculous that in this day and age pain is judged on systemic gaps and gender/racial biases.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25033400-100-the-gender-pain-gap-has-gone-on-for-too-long-its-time-we-closed-it/ (Gender pain gap)
Anyway here are some excerpts from this book as promised if you are interested in giving it a read, I can assure you its a good one-
