Bailey has done it again. This title builds on the work that changed the course of Black Studies and Women's Studies for generations. This is a must-have nonfiction text for libraries to have,

This is an important read for anyone who wants to understand the issues at the intersection of the Black experience and feminism in the digital age. Moya Bailey dives deep into the experience of black women on the internet and how they have since the beginning of the digital age, been mistreated. She coined the term Misogynoir for this. This covers everything from the insulting, stereotyped tropes of Black women as jezebel characters, as un-feminine and more. In this book, she takes a look at how many Black women have been pushing back against misogynoir to carve out their own space and voice on the internet. Highly recommend this one!

I’ll be thinking about this book for years to come. I’ll want to read the intro once a year. I find not only the concept of mysogynoir useful, but also, vitally, the concept of digital alchemy. Having access to this galley helped me to advocate successfully for Moya Bailey to be an invited keynote speaker at a national conference I’m helping to organize. <3

Moya Bailey provides an amazing example of accessible and essential scholarship in Misognyoir Transformed. What I appreciate most about this book is that it could be taught at multiple levels. Bailey begins this book with an in-depth definition of misogynoir, and why this term is so necessary in their scholarship. They explain the gap in research in the representation of queer and trans folks in digital scholarship, which opens up an incredible discussion of the meaningful usage of social media and other digital spaces to fill in stories, to transform the representation, to claim it and redefine it.

Unfortunately, my Kindle copy arrived totally unreadable with incorrect formatting and words broken up or missing. Moya Bailey’s work is so important and I’m so grateful to her for coining the term misogynoir and the incredible resource this book will be. I’m glad this is out now so I can grab a physical copy!

This book was an important read.
Firstly, as others have said, it does read like a complex research paper in many parts. Whilst I enjoyed this early on, it did become tedious as the book went on, and arguably makes the contents partially inaccessible to those who aren't overly familiar with critical theory. Whilst complicated at times, this book discusses many topics that require such an approach, and as such should not be criticised for delving into it's topics in this way. I am only mentioning this so readers are aware.
Bailey has beautifully explored and articulated numerous examples of misogynoir in the physical and digital worlds. Analysing specific examples, and considering the wider theory, this book is an important read for considering the impact and experiences of black women specifically, discussing the intersectionality often overlooked in many feminist and anti-racist discussions.
Significant to note here is one of my favourite elements in this book, the consideration of queer identities. Bailey refers to 'black non-binary, agender, and gender-variant folks', acknowledging the effect of misogynoir on those who are not 'black women', whilst also highlighting the experiences of black trans women as a central focus.
This level of inclusivity, and therefore the depth of consideration, is a major credit to Bailey.
As a new release, I would particularly recommend this to those who really began the process of educating themselves on racism following the events of 2020, as it provides a 'recap' to modern anti-racism, focusing specifically on the often-overlooked misogynoir.
Overall, I learnt a huge amount from 'Misogynoir Transformed'. I highly recommend it.

Bailey takes us through the evolution of her coined term, what influenced her to create it, what it means for Black women today, how it has been used to shape the perceptions and treatments that are aimed specifically at Black women, how it has morphed and changed with the times, what it has led to socially and policy wise, and the ways in which Black women, queer and trans women, and agender individuals are fighting back.

Each chapter delves into the damaging portrayals of Black women, the different forms they take, who is involved in the perpetuation, and how it is received by audiences.

Through this exploration, Bailey is educating, highlighting and getting a conversation started, because misogynoir is a very real and harmful presence in the lives of Black women queer and trans women, and agender individuals of differing identities in the queer community.

What is shown through her research and observations is how misogynoir is being challenged and dismantled media by media, platform by platform, person by person by these strong and purpose driven individuals and groups.

This work as acknowledged by Bailey, should be used as a starting point in the recognition of the work that is being done and still needs to be done and also as a foundation upon which more work that investigates and calls out the pernicious effects of misrepresentation of a particular community can be built.

Written in accessible language, this work is truly illuminating and is necessary in light of all that is still being perpetuated through all forms of media regarding the bodies and behaviours of Black, queer, trans women, and agender individuals; how they are all affected socially, through policy, and in all aspects of their lives, as well as the ways in which they are fighting back and overthrowing all negative stereotypes of them.

3.5 stars rounded down

I really wanted to love this one as I have such an enormous amount of respect for Moya Bailey and absolutely jumped at the chance to read her first solo book, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me; I liked it, but I didn't absolutely love it. Part of that could very well be expectations--this very much reads like a long academic paper, including a conclusion that has a paragraph summarizing each previous part of the book, and I just don't find that format engaging or inspiring. It was a bit dense for non-academic readers, IMO, with details that felt like they'd be better placed in footnotes or end notes for flow. The concept was super interesting, and I could tell that this was a very thoughtful piece with a lot of work that went into it. I thought exploring the transformation of misogynoir in the digital sphere is both super relevant and not something I've seen laid out so specifically, but though, of course, it's necessary to narrow the lens somewhat to explore these issues and keep them in scope, I sometimes felt a bit stuck in the specificities of the examples being provided. I'm glad I read it, and I'll continue to keep an eye out for future books from Moya Bailey, and I think if you go into this one understanding you're getting an academic paper in book form, that'll help manage expectations.

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.

A very detailed examination of misogynoir, looking at historic and current cultural images of black women that are hateful on two fronts, that also looks deeply into how Black women and Black non-binary folks create creative communities online - and (depressingly) how the culture they curate and nurture can become taken over by imitators or attacked. The books is rich in examples and details, which occasionally become a little pointillistic, but her research on Tumblr communities is really fascinating.

Thoroughly enjoyed this sociological examination of how black women queer, trans and nonbinary women are turning misogynoir on its head by occupying cyberspace and speaking back, using networking building hashtags to create community, doing webshows to highlight the concerns of black queer women and using tumblr to document their lives. This book might be a bit dense for a non-academic reader but its is worth a read.

*Thanks to NYU Press & NetGalley for this Ebook in exchange for my honest review