This post by Jenn at Reappropriate  (via Hoyden About Town) should be bookmarked for handy reference when someone asks "Why aren't there more women of color (or women, regardless of race) bloggers?"  Well, for starters:

many female bloggers have chosen to not participate in blogging or online discussion forums as a direct result of malicious treatment by male participants.

The intolerance towards female bloggers, therefore, is not just a disincentive towards female participation online, but it is an attack on feminism, itself. What male aggressors promote by their threatening actions is to maintain male-centric control over online discussion, and to subvert the development of feminism in cyberspace.

For women of colour, disincentives may be particularly severe. Not only are we vulnerable to threats based upon our gender, but we may also expose ourselves to racist treatment based upon our race. Further, women of colour have been largely silenced in American history; our narratives have been subjugated by White male-dominated society such that we are expected to fit into little boxes. As we take steps towards breaking out of the confines of those little boxes, we become the targets of backlash from those who prefer we play along in a role of their own design.

Every single blog I read in which a woman, whether she identifies as feminist or not, advocates for equality or a man who identifies as feminist or pro-feminist does the same, has had more than one post expressing disgust and rage at the ignorant, hateful comments and e-mail they receive.  The vileness that gets spewed at bloggers who are women of color is appalling.  They face harassment based on their sex, their race and - a topic Jenn does not address in this post - from women who identify as feminist who believe that oppression based on sex and gender is more important than oppression based on race (a belief many of them have come to because they haven't had to deal with race-based oppression).

I am amazed that women who face this torrent of garbage continue to maintain their web presence.  I stand in awe of their courage, their commitment, and their passion.  And I stand in wholehearted support of their efforts to break the silence that so many attempt to impose upon them.

I will not take the tack of the Washington Post article that concludes with the pessimistic suggestion that women bloggers may diminish in number over time, as a response to an intolerant blogosphere. I believe we will survive — indeed, thrive — not simply by refusing to “cut and run” but by building support networks. We will help one another stand steadfast. Because we believe our voices are not only a benefit, but a necessity.