Misogynoir and Healing Journeys

With Monica Samuel, Founder and Executive Director of Black Women in Motion.

Understanding the abuse and discrimination Black women, girls, and gender-diverse people face offers insight on how we can better support their healing journeys.

Misogynoir is a term coined by Dr. Moya Bailey to describe the distinctive form of anti-black sexism faced by Black women. As limited as race-based data collection in Canada is, the evidence is stunning.

Black women more likely than other groups of people to live in poverty. They're more likely to be paid less than white women. Though they are highly educated, they face disproportionate barriers to entrepreneurial financing and support. They’re racially profiled and over-incarcerated. They’re over-represented when it comes to chronic illnesses and infections like COVID-19.

Add misogynoir to the peril of gender-based violence, and you get studies that show that Black women are less likely to be taken seriously when they report violence. You find fewer responsive and relevant services for Black survivors of gendered abuse.

Starting this Black History/African Liberation Month and going all year around, how can we be changemakers in light of these longstanding problems?

Monica Samuel (She/Her) of Canadian Women's Foundation grantee partner Black Women in Motion joins us to talk about it.

Monica is an African-Caribbean settler living in T’karonto/Toronto, the Dish With One Spoon wampum treaty territory. She is an equity and anti-violence educator, consultant, community builder, and social entrepreneur. Her work as an educator over the last 11 years has focused on anti-oppression, mental health, sexual health, community economic development, and gender-based violence. She has worked with dozens of businesses and academic institutions. Monica is Founder and Executive Director Black Women in Motion, a Toronto-based, survivor-led, grassroots organization that empowers and supports the advancement of Black survivors of gender-based violence. As an advocate, Monica’s work in the non-profit sector is focused on confronting the deep-rooted and sustained impacts of anti-black racism and gender-based violence and re-imagining systems that truly serve the whole of society and not a few. Celebrated in Canada as 2019’s Top 100 Black Women to watch, Monica’s dedication and approach to social justice work have created trauma-informed and culturally-centred resources and opportunities for Black survivors and Black youth across the Greater Toronto Area.

Relevant Links: Three Essential Insights for Black History Month, Black Women in Motion

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Episode Transcripts

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