A Search for Recognition

The readings for this week have to do with many different issues that marginalized women face in American society today. "Black Sexual Politics" addresses the contemporary popular culture's stigmas attached to Black and Latina women and men. Popular culture has done nothing but exploit these values through JLo's booty and Destiny's Child's messages of female power in their music. These societal recognitions originate in the past, with prominent figures like Josephine Baker. African Americans in general have been attached to a stigma of "wild" sexuality since colonial times - which transferred across the Atlantic to the United States. Collins makes a valid point that the biological racism has turned into more of an economically successful versus impoverished debate, with African Americans usually comprising the majority of the impoverished population - perpetuating the social hierarchy that has taken over today. Popular culture has only pushed these values through intense marketing and use of improved technology. Beyonce and JLo do not appear are the "repressed" and marginalized segments of society, so their sexual freedom seems appealing. But, the women that these superstars appear to emulate them. Sexuality has a fine line in American culture, and we have yet to reconcile and acknowledge the boundary between a healthy sexuality and censoring what is in the media. The talk-show examples are something that I can truly relate to. When nothing is on during the long summer days, Jerry Springer turns into a viable option on TV, purely for its entertainment value. However, when one takes a step back from boredom and passivity, the values that the Jerry Springer show make visible to a large population are absolutely preposterous. Family drama is something that everyone can relate to - but it is turned into a spectacle with the heightened presence of race and sexuality - something that most viewers do not relate to in their everyday lives. These shows highlight the challenges that our society must overcome in relation to establishing a healthy dialogue about sexuality.

With that healthy dialogue would hopefully come a more openness into the world of lesbians. The most striking distinction Rich made that I, and many others, are guilty of, is grouping lesbians in with homosexuals. They are very different and warrant their own cultures. However, especially heterosexual males, have been forced to face homosexuality, but have managed to repress the lesbian identity, with the exception of the "Female Chauvinist Pigs" who participate in lesbianism simply to appeal to men's fantasies and desires. But that is not what the real lesbian culture is today. Historically, men have been oppressive to women in a number of ways - regarding their own sexuality and worth as a human being. The feminist movement has come to a point where the lesbian identity must be identified and integrated into the popular culture. Every female has a different experience, and men cannot continue to discredit that today. Within these differences is finding a personal sexuality. Women should not feel "psychologically trapped" to fit into some mold that society has created. Just as in the "Listen Up" excerpts, the Indian-American identity, or the pre-adolescent sexual exploration, must be discovered on a case-by-case basis. The feminine experience is relative to each and every individual woman.

I think that ultimately, women desire recognition on the continuum of identities. There exist numerous ways of being today, and a certain identity must not be discredited because it has not been historically "normal" in society up to present day. We are at a turning point, and we must create a dialogue in order to establish an open sexuality where it is free and comfortable, but through knowledge and healthy practices.