Blog #8 - Collins, Walker

In her article, Black Sexual Politics, Patricia Hill Collins discusses the ways in which history has contributed to the portrayal of “black sexuality”. Collins illustrates how women such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce Knowles, Josephine Baker and Sarah Baartman have strengthened the stereotype that black women possess an untamed, savage sexuality. In particular, Sarah Baartman, who in the early nineteenth century, was caged and put on display for the citizens of London to witness her most intriguing anatomical feature, her buttocks. “When ordered to do so, she leaves her cage and parades before the audience who seems fascinated with what they see… Baartman endures poking and prodding, as people try to ascertain for themselves whether her buttocks are real.” Baartman is portrayed as a sexual “freak” of nature, who is behaviorally and anatomically different form the white citizens of the Western world. The case of Sarah Baartman convinced many individuals that there was a distinct biological difference between white and black individuals, which contributed to the intense sexual nature of African Americans. Throughout history, the sexuality of black men and women has been emphasized to reinforce racial differences and confirm the superiority of white individuals to the black “savages” they colonize. Collins states that these sexual differences were used by imperialist countries to create a national identity, in which they were the pure, civilizing agents of the primitive colonies. In American society, black sexuality became the deviant form of white sexuality which was tame and wholesome. “The United States has been constructed in relation to the Black Beasts of Africa.”

An important point that Collins makes, is that most likely none of the four women (Lopez, Knowles, Baker, Baartman) described in the article necessarily knows how big of an impact they had/have on the portrayal of black women. Each of these women reinforces the stereotype that black women have a wild and savage sexual drive, and although they may not personally feel the effects of their actions they are negatively impacting black women as a whole. The point that Collins made reminded me of a discussion we had in class concerning the actions of some women as individuals and how their actions contributed to negative female stereotypes. For example when a women cries when she gets pulled over by a police officer. Crying may benefit her at the moment but overall she is negatively affecting all women and the way they are portrayed by men.

Along with her idea of “black sexuality”, Collins also discusses the paradox of sexual suppression. The sexual suppression in our society is considered a paradox because while sex is promoted by the media, sexual education and open dialogue are often discouraged. The lack of accurate information about sex leads most teenagers to accept what they learn about sexuality from television shows and movies. However the way that the media portrays sexuality, leads to the creation and maintenance of many stereotypes. For example, Collins attacks Montel Williams and Maury Povich for depicting black males and females as being sexually reckless, ignorant and permiscus. I agree completely with Collins argument. I think one of the major problems in our society is that discussions about sex are avoided, so children are forced to believe everything they see on television. Teenagers need to be educated correctly about sex so they are aware of safe sex practices and how to manage difficult situations, like pregnancy and sexual assault. Rebecca Walker writes in her article, Lusting for Freedom, that it is important to educate teenagers about sex so they are knowledgeable about birth control and abortion. Walker stresses the need for young women to explore their bodies and learn that bodily pleasure should not be avoided, but embraced as a privilege afforded to all humans. Discussing sex will not promote sexual activity among teenagers, but rather educate them on how to make sex a “dynamic, affirming, safe and pleasurable part of life.”