Diane Abbott and Misogynoir in UK Politics - 21st century news about race and racism

DIANE ABBOTT & MISOGYNOIR IN UK POLITICS

Diane Abbott, the UK's first Black female Member of Parliament, has been a pioneering figure in British politics. However, her career has been marred by a persistent pattern of abuse that intersects with both racism and sexism, a phenomenon often termed misogynoir. This term describes the unique discrimination faced by Black women, where misogyny is compounded by racial prejudice. Abbott has consistently highlighted the challenges she faces, noting that she receives daily online abuse, including rape and death threats, and is frequently subjected to racial and sexist insults. The abuse Abbott endures is not only personal but also reflects broader societal issues. It underscores how Black women in public life are often subjected to a dual form of marginalisation that diminishes their authority and presence. Abbott's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the full participation of Black women in political spheres. Her resilience in the face of such adversity highlights the ongoing need to address and dismantle the structures that perpetuate misogynoir in the UK. Below you will find a selection of news articles and videos highlighting the role of racism and misogyny in UK politics, from Diane Abbot and the Tory donor row involving racist comments directed towards her as well as other instances of racism experienced by Black women in politics.

“We tracked 25,688 abusive tweets sent to women MPs – half were directed at Diane Abbott”. By Azmina Dhrodia. The New Statesman. 5 September 2017.

“Diane Abbott more abused than any other female MP during election”. By Jessica Elgot. The Guardian. 5 September 2017.

“Diane Abbott faced ten times the abuse of other MPs in election run-up”. By Emilio Casalicchio. Politics Home. 5 September 2017.

“People moaning about Diane Abbott saying ‘n***er’ on GMB are missing the point”. By Nicole Morley. Metro. 14 September 2017.

“The Online Abuse Of Diane Abbott Is A Damning Indictment Of Racism And Sexism In Our Democracy”. By Barbara Ntumy. Huffington Post. 15 September 2017.

“Diane Abbott gets so much racist abuse her aides update police every week”. By Adam Smith. Metro. 29 April 2018.

Diane Abbott - The Most Abused British MP

Tory Donor Race Row (2024)

“Biggest Tory donor said looking at Diane Abbott makes you ‘want to hate all black women’”. By Rowena Mason, Matthew Weaver and Henry Dyer. The Guardian. 11 March 2024.

“Diane Abbott hits out at racism in politics after donor row”. BBC News. 14 March 2024.

“The Attack On Diane Abbott Is An Attack On All Black Women”. By L'Oréal Blackett. Refinery 29. 14 March 2024.

“Black Britons fear for Diane Abbott after a millionaire’s call for violence”. By Aina Khan. Al Jazeera. 15 March 2024.

“Diane Abbott’s experience of racism in parliament mirrors the experiences of minorities in many workplaces”. By Shakil Butt. People Management, CIPD. 18 March 2024.

“Englishness is a new concept: a word that has only recently been invented. For any people to try to pin down their identity as though it is a captive butterfly is simply wrong: people are able to have more than one identity and the fact we’re returning to trying to limit ourselves to one identity is a sign of a growing insecurity and uncertainty.”

Linda Colley

Labour Racism

“Spiteful misogynistic bullying of Diane Abbott and left-wing staff laid out in internal party report”. By Lamiat Sabin. Morning Star. 13 April 2020.

“How Diane Abbott fought racism – and her own party – to become Britain’s first black female MP”. By Robin Bunce and Samara Linton. The Guardian. 29 September 2020.

“The Forde Report Proves Labour’s Racism – And it Hasn’t Gone Away”. By Taj Ali. Tribune Magazine. 20 July 2022.

“Documents reveal ongoing racism within British Labour Party”. Al Jazeera. 2 October 2022.

“Interview: Diane Abbott on racism, the future for Labour and the personal toll that social media abuse takes”. By Rebecca McQuillan. HolyRood. 19 October 2020.

“‘It Was Just Relentless’: Black and Muslim Labour Councillors Reveal Experiences of Party Racism”. By Taj Ali. Novara Media. 29 July 2022.

“EXCLUSIVE: ‘Labour left me to face racist abuse alone’”. By Richard Sudan. The Voice. 1 November 2024.

Misogynoir in Politics and the Media

“Black and Asian women MPs abused more online”. Amnesty International.

“David Davis, Diane Abbott and Misogynoir”. By Victoria Princewill. London Review of Books. 13 February 2017.

“Diane Abbott: Twitter has 'put racists into overdrive'”. By Damien Gayle. The Guardian. 18 December 2018.

“Diane Abbott accuses BBC of legitimising racist abuse in Question Time row”. By Kevin Schofield. Politics Home. 18 January 2019.

“Caption mix-ups 'show lack of respect' for black MPs”. BBC News. 4 February 2020.

“Black female MPs condemn racist abuse and death threats they have received for supporting George Floyd protests”. By Maya Oppenheim. The Independent. 10 June 2020.

“Labour MP Dawn Butler closes office after receiving racist threats”. By Kate Proctor. The Guardian. 9 July 2020.

“Diane Abbott reveals the appalling abuse she receives online”. By IIayda McIntosh. The Voice. 18 September 2020.

“TRAILBLAZER: Black women are put off public life by the level of racism and sexism we face”. By Diane Abbott. Politics Home. 8 March 2022.

“Interview - Dawn Butler: ‘It is shocking, the disrespect for Black women in the Commons’”. By Aamna Mohdin. The Guardian. 14 August 2023.

“Kemi Badenoch: A Black British first we’re not ready to celebrate?” By Dotun Adebayo. The Voice. 1 November 2024.

Videos

“Diane Abbott on racist and sexist abuse #Ridge”. Sky News. 19 February 2017.

“Owen Jones meets Diane Abbott: 'Racism is meant to tell me I don't belong in politics'”. The Guardian. 1 February 2019.

“Dawn Butler MP on white feminism, racism in parliament and Sadiq Khan”. Channel 4 News. 8 September 2023.