Dress to Impress

Light Work by Dear Patriarchy

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Welcome to episode 3 of series 3 where we’re discussing the policing of women’s bodies, in particular the bodies of Black women and women of Colour.

We start by discussing the treatment of Mary J. Blige in the aftermath of the Super Bowl half time show and define some important terms that relate to the hyper-sexualised scrutiny that disproportionately impacts Black women/girls and women/girls of Colour. These are the Politics of Respectability (first defined by professor and author Evelyn Higginbotham), Adultification Bias and Misogynoir, the intersection of misogyny and racism.
We go on to talk about how, in the workplace (and the wider world), your worth is tied to attractiveness and how women can effectively do everything right and still have a target on their back. We share some personal anecdotes and end by tying up why making the corporate world more accessible for bodies deemed to exist outside the narrow confines of what’s “normal” is so important.
- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from a Feminist author.
- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here