Misogynoir and the <i>public woman</i>: analog and digital sexualization of women in public from the Civil War to the era of Kamala Harris

This essay identifies how the very conception of public woman is infused with opprobrium hurled against a wanton – sexualized figure who has lost claims to moral standing or social worth. Our analysis begins diachronically by using thin description trace historical conflation in general, and Black particular, prostitute outline contours trope that have solidified across time. We document became equated prostitute, then label was affixed women situate them as promiscuous prurient. proceeds synchronically we argue toxic archive memes hashtags name Kamala Harris “ho” operates contemporary iteration misogynoir conflates prostitute. The result our an identification digital wherein acceleration repetition such tropes ensures recalcitrant sentiment toward hides technological rhetorical connections intensify feelings.