Misogynoir, coined by Moya Bailey, describes instances when racism and sexism meet. Megan Pete’s aka Megan Thee Stallion’s quest for justice illustrates how even super-fandom won’t prevent misogynoir. The Grammy award-winner rapper, who boasts brand deals with Netflix, Revlon, Nike and others, accused Tory Lanez of shooting her in 2020. Then, sadly, prominent figures discounted her story and put her sexuality on trial. Rather than seeing Megan as worthy of dignity, empathy and the full process of the law, she was vilified. And she was then retraumatized every time she defended herself and shared the details of the alleged assault.
Megan was repeatedly maligned and demeaned in the court of public opinion. She was also berated for reporting the assault. Her case became a litmus test the treatment that other women could expect if they reported physical or sexual violence. And I wonder how racism and sexism played into Megan’s treatment.
Women deserve respect. Full stop. And the LA County District Attorney said it best, “You [Megan] showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve. You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face and you have been an inspiration to others across LA County and the nation. Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual violence because they are too often not believed. This trial highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women.”
His remarks underscore the need to create supports for women who come forward with allegations of abuse. No one should be ridiculed or shunned from sharing their stories.
