Written by Lauren Kelsey
Mainstream media oversexualizes black women’s bodies on the daily. We are portrayed as raunchy video vixens, sultry singers, strippers, etc.
But when we actually begin to take control of our sexuality, we get bashed. Not only by white America, but by the black community. The same black men that idolize voluptuous starlets like Nicki Minaj and Beyonce, start acting a fool when regular black women support movements like #FreeTheNipple, #BodyPosi and #ProThot.
Some even spew comments about how feminism has destroyed the black woman. Well that’s complete bullshit. If anything, misogyny has destroyed the black man. Instead of supporting and encouraging us to snatch the reins of our sexuality away from mainstream (white) culture, they feed into the sexist belief that it is “unladylike”. Even so called “progressive” black men throw hissy fits when we exercise OUR right to do as we please sexually.
Along with them, many white feminists criticize sexually liberated black women. French actress Lou Diollon said she was “appalled” by Nicki Minaj’s feminism because she “struts around in a thong”. This is the same Lou Diollon who posed nude for Playboy, a magazine that could be said to be somewhat sexist.
Actress Emma Watson, who in the past has said that “women should be able to have the freedom to wear their own attire without worrying about the opinion of men”, said she was conflicted about Beyonce’s feminism because “her costumes seemed to be for male consumption”. It’s an unfortunate reminder that even within the feminist community, white privilege rears it’s ugly head.
The same white women who praised Miley Cyrus posing topless, shamed Rihanna for wearing a sheer dress that exposed her breasts on the red carpet . I think you get the point. A black woman who is confident in her sexuality is not generally accepted by society. But it doesn’t mean we should give up, it only means we should push harder.
It seems like society wants to police black women and not allow them to be confident in their sexuality. Anytime a back woman shows some sort of sexual confidence, the media begins to harshly attack them. Even more when Beyonce was confident in her sexuality during the released of her self titled album Beyonce, many people were so appalled that a mother would act in such a way. These are the same people who praise white women for bouncing back and being sexy after having a baby. Why is there such a double standard? People like policing black women’s sexuality and that’s a fact. Saartjie Baartman was an illegal southwestern African immigrant who became the most notable black woman in Europe during the 19th century, this was due to her big butt. She was largely put on display to be gawked at, and many times people poked her butt. This wasn’t right at all, but policing black sexuality goes back ages, it’s not a new concept at all.
Until there’s equality, black women will forever be policed by society and it’s expectations that have been present for centuries. It’s sad that the ones policing the most are fellow women like themselves. It’s time to stop.
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