althea's review against another edition
3.0
I have been aware of Moya Bailey's work for a wee while now, and I was really intrigued to pick up this book, particularly because it focusses on misogynoir - the term that she herself coined - in relation to Black women and people of marginalised genders through technology. There are some really great points raised in this book. First of all, I was really pleased that, in the introduction, there is discussion on the proper terminology to use that encompasses all those who are negatively affect by misogynoir, so as not to exclude the experiences of trans and nonbinary people. Although I do feel that trans men and other transmasculine people were left out of the discussion, it is a good start. I learned a lot while reading this book, particularly in the first two chapters which focus on misogynoir as being like 'drag' in the multiple ways that the word is used, and about trans advocacy across online platforms. I also found other activists and literature that I am interested in researching more to further develop my knowledge on the topics raised. Despite other reviewers explaining that they felt that the research paper style of this book wasn't for them, I actually quite enjoyed it, as I am very used to reading similar papers. Though there were some aspects of the writing style and repetitiveness that felt clunky, I am aware that I read an advance copy, and so I'm sure these will be ironed out in the finial book.
Despite this, however, I did have some issues with the book - specifically the third chapter of the book, which really delves into the phenomenon of web-series written by Black people of marginalised genders. In general, I did learn quite a bit in this chapter, and I appreciated the analyses of these shows that display how they are tools used by Black people of marginalised genders to showcase healing and other necessary representation. However, I did not appreciate the constant demonization of masculine lesbians throughout the chapter. In the previous chapter Lena Waithe and Syd are brought up as examples of displaying internalised misogyny and misogynoir in interviews, which is a completely valid point to bring up, however it then went into almost tarring all masculine lesbians with the same brush and then going on to say several times that masculine lesbians are perpetrators of toxic masculinity. Lesbians can never emulate toxic masculinity - they can emulate internalised misogyny that manifests in toxic and at times abusive behaviour, but they are never wielders of toxic masculinity as they are not men.
This happens on several instances throughout the rest of the book, and even goes on to suggest that masculine lesbians are somewhat the oppressors of their femme counterparts - again, when feminine lesbians who are not as easily 'clocked' as being lesbians are more accepted in wider society, it is not masculine lesbians who are oppressing them. One point that really irked me was talking about the Bechdel Test, and the author suggested a new form of this test where the female characters talk to each other about something other than a masculine-of-centre person. Masculine lesbians, masculine nonbinary people and trans men are not the oppressors of cis women and feminine nonbinary people!!!! How many times does it need to be said!! Instead of this, there could have been a much needed discussion on why this type of representation is actually very harmful towards these groups and adds, instead, to the lesbophobia and transphobia they face.
Other than that there was a weird instance in the text where transphobic representation of trans women in media is discussed - and the author does make some very good points - however then explains that mainstream lesbian and gay media often neglects and undermines trans women as well as cishet media. And, yes that is absolutely the case but it felt strange to me that the author chose to explicitly exclude bi, pan and other queer people from this discussion - it added to the almost, I'm hesitant to say it, lesbophobic feel of some of the authors arguments.
Though I do say that, this is a very, very valuable book and I still do recommend picking it up as Bailey raises some very interesting points - I would maybe just do your own research and analysis on what in mentioned in chapter three, too.
Thanks to Netgalley and NYU Press for an eARC in return for an honest review!
Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram
Despite this, however, I did have some issues with the book - specifically the third chapter of the book, which really delves into the phenomenon of web-series written by Black people of marginalised genders. In general, I did learn quite a bit in this chapter, and I appreciated the analyses of these shows that display how they are tools used by Black people of marginalised genders to showcase healing and other necessary representation. However, I did not appreciate the constant demonization of masculine lesbians throughout the chapter. In the previous chapter Lena Waithe and Syd are brought up as examples of displaying internalised misogyny and misogynoir in interviews, which is a completely valid point to bring up, however it then went into almost tarring all masculine lesbians with the same brush and then going on to say several times that masculine lesbians are perpetrators of toxic masculinity. Lesbians can never emulate toxic masculinity - they can emulate internalised misogyny that manifests in toxic and at times abusive behaviour, but they are never wielders of toxic masculinity as they are not men.
This happens on several instances throughout the rest of the book, and even goes on to suggest that masculine lesbians are somewhat the oppressors of their femme counterparts - again, when feminine lesbians who are not as easily 'clocked' as being lesbians are more accepted in wider society, it is not masculine lesbians who are oppressing them. One point that really irked me was talking about the Bechdel Test, and the author suggested a new form of this test where the female characters talk to each other about something other than a masculine-of-centre person. Masculine lesbians, masculine nonbinary people and trans men are not the oppressors of cis women and feminine nonbinary people!!!! How many times does it need to be said!! Instead of this, there could have been a much needed discussion on why this type of representation is actually very harmful towards these groups and adds, instead, to the lesbophobia and transphobia they face.
Other than that there was a weird instance in the text where transphobic representation of trans women in media is discussed - and the author does make some very good points - however then explains that mainstream lesbian and gay media often neglects and undermines trans women as well as cishet media. And, yes that is absolutely the case but it felt strange to me that the author chose to explicitly exclude bi, pan and other queer people from this discussion - it added to the almost, I'm hesitant to say it, lesbophobic feel of some of the authors arguments.
Though I do say that, this is a very, very valuable book and I still do recommend picking it up as Bailey raises some very interesting points - I would maybe just do your own research and analysis on what in mentioned in chapter three, too.
Thanks to Netgalley and NYU Press for an eARC in return for an honest review!
Want more sapphic books? You can find me here: Book Blog | Twitter | Instagram
remigves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
sallysimply's review against another edition
4.5
An important entry in the growing work by and about Black women. I do hope we get to see a rise in the type of spaces Bailey starts to consider near the end of this book.
lewislikesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
ARC provided by Netgalley! :)
Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a wonderful nonfiction book that acts not only as an informative read but also as a wonderful insight into the past decade of pop-culture through a Black and intersectional lens. Bailey’s exploration of race, misogyny, gender identity and all of their overlapping threads provide excellent and highly researched commentary on the representation of Black women and Black femme-aligned people.
What I really loved about this book was how it did not coddle the white reader regarding the harsh reality of living as a Black woman or Black femme-aligned person. The experiences of Black people were centred no matter whether it be regarding the pain and the social outcry following or whether it be surrounding joy and a celebration of identity. This is something done especially well: Black intersectional identities were a large focus of this book whether it be intersections of gender or sexuality or gender presentation or class. This book considers such a wonderfully wide range of people - with a particularly notable section exploring the stereotypes and roles of Black lesbians and sapphics - and is respectful and professional when referring to all of them.
One of Bailey’s main focuses throughout the book is the use of social media and television and their respective portrayals of Black women and Black femmes. She particularly discusses how they reclaimed sites and hashtags and stereotypes formed in visual media for their own as to empower themselves, citing examples such as Janet Mock’s #GirlsLikeUs. I think utilising social media and offering it as a tool for marginalised voices is a wonderful idea and something that modern nonfiction needs to include more of! The subtitle of the book ‘Black Women’s Digital Resistance’ conveys the importance of the digital world in modern society and how platforms can be used to spread joy and unite marginalised groups, not just be a place for them to receive hatred.
Ultimately, Bailey’s Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a must read for anyone who wants a deep insight into the digital history of Black women and Black femme-aligned people due to its careful, considerate and academic style and the modern themes and ideas that it explores.
Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a wonderful nonfiction book that acts not only as an informative read but also as a wonderful insight into the past decade of pop-culture through a Black and intersectional lens. Bailey’s exploration of race, misogyny, gender identity and all of their overlapping threads provide excellent and highly researched commentary on the representation of Black women and Black femme-aligned people.
What I really loved about this book was how it did not coddle the white reader regarding the harsh reality of living as a Black woman or Black femme-aligned person. The experiences of Black people were centred no matter whether it be regarding the pain and the social outcry following or whether it be surrounding joy and a celebration of identity. This is something done especially well: Black intersectional identities were a large focus of this book whether it be intersections of gender or sexuality or gender presentation or class. This book considers such a wonderfully wide range of people - with a particularly notable section exploring the stereotypes and roles of Black lesbians and sapphics - and is respectful and professional when referring to all of them.
One of Bailey’s main focuses throughout the book is the use of social media and television and their respective portrayals of Black women and Black femmes. She particularly discusses how they reclaimed sites and hashtags and stereotypes formed in visual media for their own as to empower themselves, citing examples such as Janet Mock’s #GirlsLikeUs. I think utilising social media and offering it as a tool for marginalised voices is a wonderful idea and something that modern nonfiction needs to include more of! The subtitle of the book ‘Black Women’s Digital Resistance’ conveys the importance of the digital world in modern society and how platforms can be used to spread joy and unite marginalised groups, not just be a place for them to receive hatred.
Ultimately, Bailey’s Misogynoir Transformed: Black Women's Digital Resistance is a must read for anyone who wants a deep insight into the digital history of Black women and Black femme-aligned people due to its careful, considerate and academic style and the modern themes and ideas that it explores.
rosierosereads's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the best scholarly work I’ve read this year. A must read for scholars in the humanities, public health, public policy, etc. and an absolute must read for anyone who calls themselves a feminist.