What is misogynoir?

Misogynoir is the discrimination faced by Black women, where racism and sexism overlap. The term was coined within intersectional feminism. Misogynoir harms Black women and girls globally. It shapes harmful stereotypes, exclusion, and violence.

It's essential to challenge misogynoir so that we can achieve gender equality. This will protect the rights and lives of Black women and girls in all their diversity.

What is misogynoir?

Misogynoir is a term coined by queer Black feminist Moya Bailey. It highlights a mix of sexism and anti-Black racism that Black women and girls face. The word is a combination of ‘misogyny’ and 'noir'. Misogyny is hatred, hostility, or discrimination against women and girls. Noir is French for black.

Where does misogynoir come from?

The term misogynoir is relatively new. It was coined in 2008 by Bailey and made popular in 2010, but the concept is rooted in history. It dates back to slavery in the US.
 

Intersectional feminism and the work of Kimberlé Crenshaw

Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the idea of intersectionality in 1989. She was analysing legal cases where Black women had experienced discrimination. But it could not be defined as ‘racism’ or ‘sexism’ alone.

Crenshaw came up with the Intersectionality Theory framework. It's used to understand how different parts of a person’s identity (such as gender, race, class, disability, and sexuality) overlap.

Intersectional feminism emphasises that sexism doesn’t affect all women and girls in the same way. This is because other forms of inequality interact with it.
 

Patricia Hill Collins and the Matrix of Domination

Patricia Hill Collins is a sociologist and Black feminist theorist. She created the Matrix of Domination framework. It's used to understand how many systems of oppression are interconnected but also reinforce each other. The matrix is broken down into four interconnected domains. These are structural, disciplinary, hegemonic, and interpersonal.

Racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and ableism should not be seen as individual issues. Collins believes they form a single, interconnected system of power. This affects people differently, depending on their position in society.

The Matrix of Domination and intersectionality complement each other. Intersectionality focuses on identity and experiences and where oppression happens. Whereas the Matrix of Domination focuses on systems and power structures and how oppression is maintained.

How does misogynoir manifest in everyday life?

Misogynoir shows up in subtle, everyday ways. But it also shows up in overt ones — from workplace bias to healthcare disparities.
 

Common misogynoir examples

Here are some common examples of misogynoir in everyday life.

Workplace bias. Black women are often seen as being ‘too aggressive’. In reality, they are simply being assertive. They are overlooked for promotions and leadership roles and are paid less than their peers. The National Women’s Law Center carried out a report in 2021. They found that a woman starting her career today stands to lose over $406,000 over a 40 year career due to the wage gap. But for a Black woman it is nearly $1 million.

Appearance bias. Natural hairstyles, such as Afros, cornrows and braids, are often viewed as ‘unprofessional’. In the UK, a school girl was repeatedly sent home because her Afro hair was deemed not to be “of reasonable size or length.” Eurocentric hairstyles and beauty standards dominate the media. As a result, Black women and girls feel sidelined and ‘othered’.

Underrepresentation in the media. Black women are not only underrepresented in advertising or the media. But when they are represented, it’s often in stereotypical roles or as side characters.

Disparities in healthcare. A study looked at the differences in pain perception between patients and their doctors. It found that in comparison to other racial groups, physicians are twice as likely to underestimate Black patients’ pain. And globally, Black women have higher maternal mortality rates than other racial groups. US data shows that Black women are 2.3 to 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

Online harassment. Amnesty International carried out a study in 2018. It showed that Black women are up to 84% more likely than white women to be mentioned in abusive or problematic tweets. And these social media posts often combine racist and sexist language.

Harmful stereotypes of Black women

There are many harmful stereotypes of Black women and girls. Like the ‘angry Black woman’, the ‘jezebel’ (an overly sexualised stereotype), and the ‘mammy’ (a stereotype of an older Black woman as a maid and caregiver).
 

The ‘angry Black woman’ trope and other damaging narratives

The ‘angry Black woman’ stereotype dates back to chattel slavery in the US. One person (usually a white man) had total ownership over another person (usually a Black person). They would treat them as personal property rather than as human beings.

Author Deborah Gray White wrote Ar’n’t I a Woman?: Female Slaves in the Plantation South. According to Gray White, by identifying Black women as more masculine and angrier, their enslavers had a rationale for forcing them to do hard labour in the fields.

Today, the ‘angry Black woman’ stereotype characterises Black women and girls as:

• aggressive
• hostile
• loud
• arrogant
• ill-tempered

Often, this stereotype is used to dismiss valid concerns or emotional expression.
 

Hypersexualisation and symbolic violence

The ‘jezebel’ stereotype portrays Black women as:

• overly sexual
• promiscuous
• crude in a sexual manner
• having a desire for sex that is impossible to meet

Like the ‘angry Black woman’ trope, the jezebel also has its roots in slavery. This stereotype was used to rationalise sexual violence and harassment against Black women by their enslaver.

Today this stereotype is harmful to women who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse. It’s often used to justify what they have had to endure. And it’s also a form of victim-blaming.

Misogynoir in the workplace

Misogynoir often appears in the workplace. There can be subtle but persistent patterns. Black women often face double standards in behaviour. Assertiveness may be labelled as aggression. And emotional expression may be seen as unprofessional.

Their contributions are often undermined. Ideas get ignored or credited to others. They are forced to repeatedly prove their competence and justify their role. Barriers to advancing in their career are also common. They may be overlooked for promotions or denied mentorship opportunities. They are judged against vague standards like “cultural fit.” The Women in the Workplace 2025 report showed that for every 100 men promoted to manager in the last year, only 60 Black women were promoted.

Definitions of professionalism are often Eurocentric. So Black women often face prejudice. Their natural hairstyles or personal styles are labelled as ‘unprofessional’. And they are seen as not suited to a workplace.

Black women often have to do extra work, like leading diversity efforts. But many do not get recognition or pay for it. And they are often compensated less than their peers.

The global impact of misogynoir on women and girls

Misogynoir has global consequences. It affects Black women and girls across many areas of life. Like health, safety, economic opportunity, and representation.

Black women and girls face disproportionately high levels of gender-based and racialised violence. Such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, and even femicide. The Guardian reported that at least four Black women and girls were murdered per day in the US in 2020. And according to reports from the Human Rights Campaign, 59% of transgender murders in the US in 2022 were of Black transgender women.

In the health sector, bias based on stereotypes can lead to pain being dismissed or under-treated. A US study found that Black patients were 40% less likely to get the medication needed to relieve pain than white patients. Black women also face more complications and worse pregnancy outcomes, compared to other racial groups. In the UK, Black women are five times more likely to die in pregnancy.

Globally, misogynoir prevents opportunities and advancement. Black girls and women face systemic barriers in education and workplaces. This impacts their career growth and how much they can earn. Black women are also paid less than their peers in the same or similar roles.

Misogynoir is increasingly visible in online spaces and global media. The media often reinforces stereotypes. It narrows and limits how Black women and girls are perceived globally. And they face disproportionate online harassment compared to other women and girls. This harassment combines both racism and sexism.

A big global issue is that problems facing Black women are often overlooked or ignored. Crises affecting them receive less attention in policy and advocacy. They may even be missed as data is often not disaggregated by both race and gender.

How misogynoir harms equality and social justice

Misogynoir harms both equality and social justice. It reinforces systemic inequalities. These exclude some of the most marginalised groups from society. Treating women and girls as a uniform group often centres privileged individuals. This overlooks the specific barriers faced by Black women and girls. This means equality cannot be achieved.

Misogynoir also weakens social justice efforts. It creates gaps in advocacy and representation. Social movements that ignore race and gender together may create inequality within. This means that Black women and girls’ voices, leadership, and needs are often sidelined. This reduces how well wider justice initiatives work. Solutions designed without the most affected groups in mind tend to address only part of the problem. Systems of power are interconnected. So ignoring misogynoir allows for many forms of oppression to continue. This includes economic inequality and workplace discrimination.

In everyday life, misogynoir leads to unequal access to:

• employment
• fair wages
• healthcare
• education
• legal protection

These disparities build up over time. They widen social and economic gaps and make it harder to achieve real equality. It also normalises harmful stereotypes and biases. These shape everyday interactions and institutional decisions. Misogynoir not only harms Black women but also undermines the broader goal of social justice. A system cannot be considered fair or equitable if it consistently fails those who are most marginalised.

How to challenge misogynoir and support Black women and girls

Challenging misogynoir needs individual action. It also requires systemic change. Here are ways to challenge misogyny and support Black women and girls.

Listen to and centre the voices of Black women and girls. Take their experiences seriously. Don't minimise or dismiss them. Amplify and champion their ideas and suggestions in classrooms, in the workplace, and online. Support Black women’s leadership in social movements and in the workplace.

Challenge stereotypes and bias. Speak out when you hear harmful stereotypes being used, such as the ‘angry Black woman'. Think about your own views on looks, professionalism, and behaviour. Avoid policing these in ways that reinforce bias.

Push for equity in the workplace. Advocate for fair hiring, promotions, and pay. Support policies that protect against discrimination. Such as rules on natural hairstyles. Encourage transparency and accountability in leadership decisions. Share responsibility for inclusion efforts and don’t rely on Black women to ‘fix’ diversity issues on their own.

Address misogynoir in digital spaces. Call out online harassment, both racist and sexual, and report any abusive behaviour to the platforms. Offer support to those who have been targeted and avoid amplifying harmful content.

Commit to continuous learning. Listen to the perspective of Black women and girls. Read books and articles by Black feminists and scholars. And stay informed about current issues affecting Black women around the world.

Build inclusive spaces and movements. Actively include Black women and girls in decision-making. Not just in participation. Ensure that anti-racism and gender equality efforts are intersectional and not separate. Recognise that justice for Black women and girls strengthens equality and justice for all.

Challenging misogynoir is not just about changing individual attitudes and prejudices. It’s about changing systems, cultures and power structures.