The Wage of Misogynoir is Death: But the Gift of Independence is Economic Life
"Misogynoir," a portmanteau denoting the unique hatred directed toward Black women, permeates American society (Bailey and Trudy 2018). Recently, the cast of The Color Purple musical gave renewed voice to this injustice in the form of pay inequity for Black women.
Advocates for Pay Equity
In interviews, iconic actors like Taraji P. Henson candidly addressed Hollywood’s egregious wage gaps disadvantaging Black women (Ross 2022). Despite possessing accolades and experience comparable to the industry’s top white actresses, Viola Davis still struggles for pay equity and opportunity.
Their advocacy resonates far beyond the silver screen. Across sectors, Black women combating misogynoir find “the injured body and crushed spirit riot dangerously close to the surface” (Rollock, 2021).
Will Religious Academia Seek Equity?
Nowhere does this ring more true than within the halls of academia. If theology seeks truth and justice, why do our religious institutions propagate economic injustice against Black women? In theology, Black women “have been the backbone of the institutions that [exclude] them'' (Townes 2006, p. 272). Despite constituting a sizable cohort of doctoral students, how many divinity schools nationwide employ even one African descended woman as a full-time lecturer or professor within the UK?
Efforts for redress are thwarted by the response, “We don’t keep track of ethnicity or race.” Yet, this statement of deliberate ignorance shields the racial resistance toward African descended scholars, particularly women. Refusal to keep track means refusal to be held to account for exclusionary politics.
What will it take for pay transparency to become the norm rather than the exception at divinity schools and seminaries? In fact, when will hiring no longer be shrouded in excuses for not even interviewing such women instead of seeking true equity?
Those present often provide invisible labor - serving on diversity committees, mentoring minority students without recognition or reduced teaching loads (Greer 2013). Where are the accountability mechanisms for institutions weaponizing poverty against women of color? Frequently they must publish chapters rather than books to be included in curricula where their scholarship gets silenced (Hopkins 2002). Well-intentioned but thoughtless colleagues exacerbate these burdens by requesting “free expert advice” or unpaid speaking engagements, oblivious to the financial hardships facing independent scholars (Hine, 1989).
Solutions for Going Forward
If funded research is the currency of academia, how can we better support unfunded Black women scholars? The path forward demands radical truth-telling, however uncomfortable for those in power. Allies must leverage their privilege to implement pay equity reviews, funding earmarked for marginalized scholars, and bridge roles to improve career sustainability. In addition, tenure-track roles should specifically recruit Black women scholars, offering competitive start-up packages on par with those offered to White peers.
For scholars assessed by the academy as inadequate despite their qualifications, the choice is not dichotomous—between sanity and selling out, martyrdom helps no one. Instead, Black women are compelled to seek justice in spaces that value their worth until institutions budge on reform.
Foundation and industry jobs often provide more flexibility and compensation to impact change. For those who remain in academia, collectives can offer vital support—accountability for research and writing, access to grants and mentors. There, we empower generations of scholars, working toward a future where our talents get validated, not exploited.
We can no longer expect the Academy to remedy issues it actively perpetuates. Instead, alternative structures provide hope. The M2M Research Network offers concrete solutions for scholars to reclaim authority over our knowledge production. Our inaugural report, forthcoming by March 31st, details action plans enabling intellectual engagement liberated from oppressive bureaucracies.
The Holy Spirit of liberation beckons us. Will we muster the courage to follow Her call?
Dr. Nash for the Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2024
References:
Bailey, M., & Trudy. (2018). On misogynoir: citation, erasure and plagiarism in Feminist Media Studies, Taylor & Francis. 18(4), 762–768. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2018.1447395
Greer, C. (2013). Black ethnics: Race, immigration, and the pursuit of the American dream. Oxford University Press.
Rollock, Nicola (2021). “’I Would Have Become Wallpaper Had Racism Had Its Way’: Black Female Professors, Racial Battle Fatigue, and Strategies for Surviving Higher Education” in Peabody Journal of Education. Taylor & Francis, Vol. 96, No. 2
Hine, D. C. (1989). “Rape and the inner lives of Black women in the Middle West.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 14(4), 912-920.
Ross, L. M. (2022, December 25). Taraji P. Henson Says There's a Huge Pay Gap for Black Women in Hollywood. Retrieved from https://www.etonline.com/taraji-p-henson-says-theres-a-huge-pay-gap-for-black-women-in-hollywood-exclusive-190779
Russo, J. (2023, January 5). Viola Davis Recalls Being Paid 'a Tenth' of Her Male Co-Stars' Salaries. Retrieved from https://people.com/movies/viola-davis-recalls-being-paid-a-tenth-of-her-male-co-stars-salaries/
Townes, E. M. (2006). Womanist ethics and the cultural production of evil. Palgrave Macmillan.