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| bell hooks via The New School |
On Tuesday afternoon, legendary author, feminist and academic, bell hooks led a panel entitled Are You Still A Slave? Liberating The Black Female Body (embedded after the jump) at The New School. Joining her were author Marci Blackman, author and activist, Janet Mock, and film director Shola Lynch. What followed was an instructive and interesting dialogue about the politics of black womanhood, sexuality, and creating anti-imperialist images within a heteropatriarchial, white supremacist society.
One point of contention that stuck out to me however, was bell hook's comments about Beyoncé, and her belief that Beyoncé's brand was harmful to young black girls. bell even went so far as to say, in response to a question about creating liberatory sex positive framework that honours the agency of black women, that she believed black women should embrace celibacy as a political means to counteract stereotypes of hypersexuality (around the 1:25:30 mark).
If you've been following this blog at all in the last few months, then you know that I vehemently disagree with this point of view, and have written on several occasions about why I believe that Beyoncé's new overtly sexual image is empowering and instructive to black women when viewed through a womanist lens. But I've been thinking about why bell's statement's bothered me so much, and I think I've finally figured out why.
bell essentially asserted that she believed that the way to counteract our sexualization by a white supremacist society was to, in effect, render ourselves asexual, thereby destroying the canvas upon which white supremacy projects its ideas about black female sexuality. While I see the value of this view point in theory, I think that the fatal flaw in that logic is that it puts the onus on black women to refocus the derogatory images being created and disseminated about us, through self policing.
Because we are human, (though our humanity is often questioned) black women are by and large sexual people, just like everyone else. Our sexuality is something that is inherent to our person, and it's something that we should be allowed to freely claim (or reject for that matter) without fear of reprisal or repercussion. To move forward in a reactionary way by refusing to be sexual simply because it may be expected of us (because of our black female bodies), is to deny ourselves a part of our own humanity, in order to claim our humanity. In my mind, that's counter-intuitive. No one should be required to reject sexuality in service of humanity, because sexuality is part of humanity.
As I detailed in my essay Est-Ce Que Tu Aimes Le Sexe?: Yoncé Brings Feminism To Its Knees, I believe that claiming our sexuality with agency is a revolutionary act as a black woman. To be sexualized is to be objectified against our will. To be sexual is to become an active player in our own sexual journey. Given the historical context of black female sexuality being used in service of others through rape and forced birth, I believe that taking control of one's sexuality, is the ultimate rejection of misogynoiristic sexual stereotypes.
And this doesn't not mean that all black women need to be sexual at all times. The issue here is that black women should be given the choice of how to engage sexually with their bodies. That choice can be to be sexual, but it can also be to not be sexual. It's the choice that matters; the ability to freely decide which option is best for them on their own terms, without pressure from outside forces, whether they be social or political.
To me, forcing oneself into celibacy in order to reject hypersexualization rather than "allowing" oneself to be sexualized in service of the white supremacist status quo (because in truth, these things have never really been a choice that we can "allow") is to simply substitute one ideological jail for another. The goal should not be to get white supremacy to reframe its perspective of black female sexuality, but to re-engineer our understanding of our own claim to our sexuality, and the agency we should be free to explore through sexual contact.
Sex can be a beautiful thing, and its peaks and valleys should be accessible to black women in the same way that they are accessible to everyone else. While combating the sexual stereotypes of black women is important, I think that it's essential that we find ways to do it that don't necessitate denying ourselves access to our own sexuality.
I think that Beyonce is a talented performer, who produces catchy music; however like bell hooks I'm not sold on this feminist altar she is currently placed on. I think hooks is out of line calling Beyonce's brand of feminism terrorism as well as requesting that she should deny her natural sexuality; but as a black woman i have no idea why her brand of feminism should be considered revolutionary, new or different in any way. This new and open sexual identity she projects is one that has always been projected onto black women, whether we claim it or not. When has Beyonce not been sexy? When have her performances and costumes not 'paid homage' to black female artists such as Josephine Baker and the great Tina Turner, or to what she believes to be the African style of dance? She is a straight, married woman who has a child and is sexual, divulging her private relations to fans; no one would slut shame Beyonce. She is naturally in an empowered and privileged position that many of her fans are not in and cannot afford . Should the average a 17 year old girl of colour or even me at 27 do the things Beyonce does we would be accused of perpetuating the negative stereotypes of black women. I feel that the type of feminism Beyonce is promoting is one more closely in-line with white feminist forms of empowerment. This completely ignores the history of sexuality forced unto black women, where no matter where we go we are thought to be loose morally and sexually; that our girls are perceived to act more grown and sassy, to be more experienced simply because many of our bodies have curves at an age that women of other races blossom into later. That we are expected to be more open about our sexuality is why Beyonce and other female artists of colour (in particular black, native and latina women) rarely receive the amount of coverage the Miley Ciruses and Taylor Swifts get for being public about their sexuality and numerous relationships. How is Beyonce different from Madonna, Spice Girls, Brittney,The Pussy Cat Dolls and Katy Perry?- their sexuality is what made them stand out because they go against the mold and for the most part are white women. Feminine sexuality has become a type of gimmick, particularly in the entertainment industry. I have middle school and high school aged cousins who are more aware and open about their sexuality than i can ever hope to be; for that i am beyond relieved; but this is what precisely makes Beyonce's message difficult to accept as groundbreaking; its been said and done and she isn't bringing new material to the table. I am usually in agreement with you about feminist ideas shared on this blog but i can't get on the Yonce train. She may be a feminist but she isn't mine, she isn't doing anything new to further the cause of young black women trying to define themselves beyond what society has already branded them, or showing that they are more than sexual beings. Its great to have confidence and love yourself, to be free and able to be sexual without being scrutinized by others. I'm sure Beyonce is a well rounded, intelligent and dynamic individual but she will be my feminist idol when she can show more than her sexual liberation. I may be projecting my own personal politics onto an artist and holding her to unrealistic standards; for that I am sorry, but i think other views on this topic should be presented as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting thought process here, I can see both sides. I think Bell's point is more that while we exercise our own sexual agency as women, we don't need to reinforce existing constructs especially if we are in the process of deconstructing them. Granted, these are not ideologies that we, as the oppressed have put in place -- but they are the conditions in which we live. Should we train young girls to live in the ideal world, or the existing one? Some things may be lawful, but at the same time not expedient. We should have choices, but I am not sure that a publicly sexualized environment is one I want to live in. I give that Beyonce has the right to her own sexual agency (and it's benefits AND consequences) but as a megastar/role model/ transcendent (choose your term) her agency does not exist in a vacuum. Her public agency choices have an effect on all women, especially black women. She has chosen to shape those conversations and embrace that role> It should include some social responsibility as well. What of those who don't choose to have her benefits be our consequences? Do we have choices too?
ReplyDeleteI think the difference though is we're focusing on combating stereotypes of hypersexuality through celibacy, but we're forgetting entirely, that stereotypes of black female sexuality ALSO EXIST. The mammy is a prototype of black unattractiveness; overweight, ugly and asexual. A non-threat. Why shouldn't we combat those stereotypes in the same way?
ReplyDeleteSee how it becomes a matter of reactionary thinking and not actual choice?
What feminist altar? Now acknowledging Beyoncé's feminism is equal to placing her on an altar?
ReplyDelete"This completely ignores the history of sexuality forced unto black women, where no matter where we go we are thought to be loose morally and sexually; that our girls are perceived to act more grown and sassy, to be more experienced simply because many of our bodies have curves at an age that women of other races blossom into later."
This is actually exactly WHY Beyoncé's brand of feminism is important. Because it makes clear that her sexuality IS HER CHOICE. To condense it down to "well she's always been sexy" is intellectually dishonest.
That said, it's PERFECTLY FINE if Beyoncé's feminism doesn't speak to you. We're individuals and feminism isn't supposed to be one size fits all. But "Bey's feminism doesn't apply to me" should not be equated with "Bey is not a feminist because she doesn't apply to me."
I actually agree with you. . . however the entire persona created by Beyonce is mastery of reactionary thinking (also known as marketing). Her power (and wealth) is derived from being able to master the existing constructs and ideals of beauty. . . the ability to do this is great, and she has maximized the return on that ability along with her talent. That does not neccessarily make it laudible, or cutting-edge feminist. Beyonce would be an outstanding artist in a prom dress, a hijab or a choir robe. Her choice has been to use her sexual agency in this manner for profit. Reactionary it it's finest.
ReplyDeleteI made a point not to say that "Beyonce is not a feminist because she doesn't apply to me". As you said everyone has their own brand of feminism which suits them, perhaps i did not make that clear enough. i have no issue with her being acknowledged as a type of feminist icon but i do stick with my assertion that she has recently been placed on a type of altar at the moment where it is very difficult for others to criticize her. I'm not saying you placed her there, just that right now in the media and on much of the blogosphere she is being promoted by many in such a way. To reiterate, i find it confusing that its seen as groundbreaking when almost all other female artists are doing the same thing...especially black/POC artists who have almost always done this, i.e Toni Braxton, TLC,Salt'N'Pepper
ReplyDeleteWhat pedestal? I think the multiple hit-pieces parading as journalism accusing Beyoncé of being responsible for everything from teen pregnancy, to childhood obesity, kind of takes the wind out of that argument. Of course you can criticize and critique her. No one is above that, and there's plenty to be skeptical about when it comes to her and her image. Her repeated engagement of Terry Richardson for one seriously makes me question her message vis a vis sex positivity, when she associates with a known sexual predator. But that doesn't mean that either 1. she isn't feminist or 2. no one is allowed to say anything bad about her. People have BEEN criticizing her, so I don't know where you got the impression that they weren't.
ReplyDeleteAs to other WoC artists "doing it better", I'd love to known when the Toni Braxton, TLC, or Salt N Pepper were last in the news for their music? Not to mention that "better" is subjective in the first place. Beyoncé gets discussed because she's CURRENT and also because she's achieved a level of fame and success that other WoC could only dream of. It makes her significant in an economic sphere as well as a cultural one.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Self-policing is not what we need. It keeps black women in a very small box of what we should do to remain "respectable." I really wish bell hooks would do a talk on pleasure politics and how women can express themselves as sexual beings. I wrote an article on the subject and people were quick to say "but the history, the white male gaze..blah blah blah---but they have nothing to say about black women and healthy sexuality. I'm glad you're speaking on this. It's definitely a needed discussion.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but where did i write "doing it better"? I know the artists i mentioned above are not current or in the headlines. I chose them because they are RnB or hip-hop artists who have never shied away from their sexually and brought it to the mainstream; and to support my main argument which is that what Beyonce is doing now has almost always been done by WoC in the media. I realize that we having differing opinions but i also find it unfair that you respond by criticizing points i haven't even made. I respect your work and wanted this opportunity to chime in, but i feel as if you are only reading what you want to see in my response and not reading most of what i have written. This is one of the reasons i say that it makes it hard to criticize.
ReplyDelete