Memoirs of Misogynoir

Thoughts From An Irritated Black Woman

Everywhere I go, and every film I see I have noticed an intentionality in media and print to depict dark skin black women as overweight, unconventionally unattractive, and or masculine. It's either that, or she will be given a role as a sidekick or portrayed in a degenerate light, or cast as the leading lady to portray a life of abuse and struggle. These subtle yet not so subtle racist portrayals of dark skin women are rooted in misogynoir, colorism, and implicit biases. It feeds into stereotypes, and is a form of racist propaganda. Similar to the "Mammy", and "Aunt Jemima" caricature from times past.

By talking more about these images in media and print I hope to bring awareness to others about the unique struggles dark skin women are facing in our eurocentric society. The pictures below were taken in the Levi store downtown. Notice in the pictures how everyone is skinny and the only one portrayed as overweight is the dark skin woman. Actually, in the entire store the only overweight people in print were the dark skin woman. This was done intentionally and deliberately to degrade dark skin black women in a passive aggressive way. I will continue to share and talk about these images more because it is very hurtful and overtly racist.

In addition, the store also had patches for the jeans, but the LGBTLMNOP patches were only depicting black people. My question is if LGBTLMNOP is something being suggested as the new "normal"; why does Levi seem to only be willing to depict this form of normality through black people and not through their white consumers who make up the bulk of their customers? I'll leave you to your thoughts .

Ain't I A Woman?

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) : Ain't I A Woman? Delivered 1851 @ Women's Rights Convention, Old Stone Church (since demolished), Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about? That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman? Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full? Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him. If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

Thoughts From An Offended Black Woman

Are interracial relationships superior and more socially acceptable than their homo-racial counterparts? Although interracial dating is not a "sin", can valuing and devaluing a woman based off the color of her skin be a sign of partiality within ones own heart? All through media you can't miss it. Every time you turn on your television you're bombarded with subliminal messaging excessively promoting interracial dating for black males with non black counterparts. But why? As a huge movie buff I can't help but notice a consistency in the intentionality and over representation of interracial unions depicting almost exclusively black males with non black counterparts. The disproportionate depiction of black children with non black mothers is also both alarming and puzzling.

Is the black women no longer needed to make black children? Can the same be said for white, non black Hispanics, and Asian children? Why does this undermining of the woman's role in the family seem to only be permissible toward black women and not their non brown skinned counterparts? It all appears to be apart of a promotion for interracial dating being significantly targeted toward non black women to date black men. I say targeted because it is by and large almost exclusively depicting non black women with dark skinned black men. However, this degree of promotion is not being had for white, hispanic, or Asian men. As a black woman I can't help but ask why.

These representations; all though seemingly harmless to the undiscerning eye; are actually an attempt to erase the black woman from the black family and devalue her role in the black community. It elevates non black/mixed race women over black women in their own community and suggests she is not needed and or irrelevant in the cultivation of the so called "black" family. This would never be excepted among white, Hispanics, nor Asian woman but black women are expected to smile, condone, and be accepting of the erasure of her in her own community. If she is not accepting; she is characterized as "insecure" and jealous because a non black woman is with a black man. She is also often criticized if she does not accept mixed race children as fully black children. Despite the fact that most non black women in interracial unions do not recognize their mixed race children as belonging to their racial and or ethnic societal category.

These are invalidation tactics often being deployed against black women to keep them from speaking against this very clear racist and misogynistic agenda to promote black men apart from black women. What these matters reveal is that society loves blackness, but not the womb from which it comes, or the women who cultivate it. The question I leave you with is this; is the promotion for interracial dating between non black women with black men just a harmless encouragement to love who you love; or a sinister attempt to enforce miscegenation, and the dismantling of the black family? Is interracial dating the cure for racism, and the medicine needed to heal racial divides; or is it just snake oil being paraded to mask hidden internalized racism and racial elitism. As usual, I'll leave you to your thoughts.

Still I Rise Maya Angelou 1928 – 2014

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you? Don’t you take it awful hard ’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.

A Quote From Maya Angelou

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

Lord, Why Did You Make Me Black?

Lord, Lord Why did You make me Black? Why did You make someone the world wants to hold back?

Black is the color of dirty clothes, the color of grimy hands and feet. Black is the color of darkness, the color of tire-beaten streets.

Why did You give me thick lips, a broad nose and kinky hair? Why did You make someone who receives the hatred stare?

Black is the color of the bruised eye when someone gets hurt. Black is the color of darkness, Black is the color of dirt.

How come my bone structure’s so thick, my hips and cheeks are high? How come my eyes are brown and not the color of daylight sky?

Why do people think I’m useless? How come I feel so used? Why do some people see my skin and think I should be abused?

Lord I just don’t understand. What is it about my skin? Why do some people want to hate me and not know the person within?

Black is what people are “listed” when others want to keep them away. Black is the color of shadows cast. Black is the end of day.

Lord you know my own people mistreat me and I know this just ain’t right. They don’t like my hair. They say I’m too dark or too light.

Lord, don’t You think it’s time for You to make a change? Why don’t You re-do creation and make everyone the same?

God Answered:

Why did I make you Black? Why did I make you Black? Get off your knees and look around Tell me, what do you see? I didn’t make you in the image of darkness, I made you in likeness of ME!

I made you the color of coal from which beautiful diamonds are formed. I made you the color of oil, the black gold that keeps people warm.

I made you from the rich, dark earth that can grow the food you need. You color’s the same as the black stallion, a majestic animal is he. I didn’t make you in the image of darkness. I made you in likeness of ME!

All the colors of the heavenly rainbow can be found throughout every nation. But when all of those colors were blended, you became my greatest creation.

Your hair is the texture of lamb’s wool. Such a humble little creature is he. I am the Shepherd who watches them. I am the One who will watch over thee.

You are the color of midnight sky. I put the star’s glitter in your eyes. There is a smile hidden behind your pain. That’s why your cheeks are so high.

You are the color of dark clouds formed, when I send My strongest weather. I made your lips full so when you kiss the one that you love, they will remember.

Your stature is strong, your bone structure thick to withstand the burdens of time. The reflection you see in the mirror… The image that looks back is MINE.

– By RuNett Nia Ebo

{Author pictured below}