Complex and conflicting notions of normal sexuality were the common thread linking today’s readings. Collins’ chapter “Black Sexual Politics” addressed the multiple issues surrounding Black sexuality and its repressive state in American society despite the “bootylicious” sexual images of African Americans that dominate the media. It is an interesting contradiction to think that Black sexuality is being suppressed in a society whose media seems to be running wild with its provocative image. Using multiple examples, Collins explains this contradiction and illustrates how Black sexuality is in fact being stifled by Western stereotypes and an invented discourse that “associates Blackness with an imagined uncivilized, wild sexuality” (Collins 27). Collins describes how “women of African descent have been associated with an animalistic, ‘wild’ sexuality” (27) and “men of African descent were also perceived to have excess sexual appetite, yet with a disturbing additional feature, a predilection for violence” (32). Both these Western constructions of Black sexuality create an identity of Black otherness and opposition that influence racial ideologies and racial practices and contribute to the “new racism” we see today. Collins also critiques society’s censorship of all sexuality, regardless of race. The treatment of sex education in public schools renders sexuality invisible, and a lack of sexual awareness has lead to high adolescent pregnancy rates, increasing cases of HIV infection and a lack of acceptance of students grappling with LGBT identities. Without proper public forums promoting discussion of sexuality, Collins suggests that people turn to talk shows such as Maury, Montel and Jerry Springer for exposure to sexual information. On top of all the false racial stereotypes these programs promote, it is scary to think that people would take any guidance from these attention-seeking human spectacles.
In “Lusting for Freedom,” Walker also addresses our concept of sexuality and asserts the importance of considering the consequence of what happens when “self-exploration is blocked by cultural taboo, government control or religious mandate” (22). Despite losing her virginity at the shockingly young age of eleven, Walker approached her sexuality with maturity and self-assurance, recognizing her need to explore her body for her own benefit. Walker is proud of her sexual experience that gave her pleasure and freedom free of shame and silence. While she was lucky to have a safe and private space to explore her sexuality, Walker notes that experiences like hers are all too rare. Although she succeeded in freeing sexuality from shame, she notes the problems in the way society repeatedly sweeps sexuality under the rug, the way our moral codes and laws restrict our sexual awareness and the way “judgments like ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ only build barriers between people and encourage shame within individuals” (Walker 19). It is refreshing to read about her healthy and empowering sexuality, but unfortunate to think that society’s repression of sexuality makes her experience the exception and not the norm.
Describing her sister’s budding sexuality—her preference for tight jeans, scant tops and her lust for boys—Shah continues the theme of sexuality by writing about its intersection with culture. After Shah’s parents beamed approvingly of her sister’s backless chania chorri she was forced to realize that both her and her sister “had to deal with [their] sexuality in the context of both white patriarchy and Indian patriarchy” (Shah 227). She could not address her family’s situation based “on white feminism’s terms, which don’t recognize cultural duality” (Shah 228), but rather needed to recognize the intertwining expression of culture and sexuality.
All three readings deal with the treatment and expression of sexuality, which is far from a homogenous experience. All too often we reduce our conception of sexuality to a normalized, stereotyped definition that rejects difference, and all too often we don’t talk about it all. The readings underline the importance of spreading awareness of healthy sexuality, and recognizing its intersection with race, culture, and class.
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