Trade unions must tackle misogynoir
As Women’s History Month came to an end, Tracy reflected on the importance of tackling misogynoir and the contributions of Black women to the British trade union movement.
During Women's History Month, I thought a lot about misogynoir: a term used to describe the intersectional discrimination experienced by Black women.
Misogynoir impacts Black women at home and at work and analyses how various social identities such as race, gender, class, age, ability, and sexual orientation interrelate in systems of oppression. This is why trade unions must tackle it, in addition to the larger fight against misogyny.
In the current political climate, we are seeing Black women being physically attacked by racists who are emboldened by the normalisation of racist language and attitudes.
We see this at work where Black women still experience differential treatment based on a stereotype of them being labelled as “angry Black women”.
In our communities we are seeing racists claiming to protect the rights of women and girls when attacking asylum seekers and migrants, and targeting Black women who are not seen as “belonging here”.
The recent rapes in the West Midlands of two Black women are very real and painful reminders of misogynoir, as they were racially abused while being attacked. This is why this pernicious form of hatred needs to be taken seriously and called out for what it is.
As PCS members we have a duty to look after each other, and that includes calling out racism and all other forms of discrimination.
Role models
Women’s History Month also provides a great opportunity to reflect on the contributions of Black women to political struggles.
From a trade union perspective, the activism of Black women has been frequently overlooked, despite their central roles in movements for abolition, civil rights, labour rights, voting rights, and women’s rights.
Black women have always been at the forefront of struggle, from Yasa Asantewa to Nanny of the Maroons, Angela Davis to Claudia Jones. We stand on their shoulders.
Even within PCS, we have had great role models like Zita Holborne, Annette Rochester, Tracey Hylton and Angela Grant.
We owe it to them and each other to keep speaking up and being a visible reminder that Black women have been - and continue to be - permanent fixtures in the trade union movement.
We need more Black members to become active reps within PCS so that we can challenge systemic racism, sexism, misogyny.
We also need to be visible in our communities fighting against all forms of discrimination so that our friends and neighbours will see that being in a union matters, and is just as relevant today as ever.