Black women’s right to pleasure
Sexual health is more than just diseases and dysfunctions – it encompasses the vital aspects of pleasure and satisfaction that contributes to our overall well-being. Yet, research on Black women’s sexuality and pleasure is overwhelmingly scarce, leaving our experiences significantly misunderstood. Throughout history, racism, gender inequality, religious influences and more oppressive systems have led us to believe that our pleasure doesn’t matter. Since no one else cares enough to say it, allow me to remind us all: Black women, like all individuals, possess an inherent and undeniable right to sexual pleasure. It is time we recognize and prioritize this right, which is crucial for challenging societal norms, dismantling systemic oppression, and fostering our holistic well-being, empowerment, and sexual liberation.
Black women, like all individuals, possess an inherent and undeniable right to sexual pleasure
In order to fully comprehend the complexities of Black women’s sexuality, it’s important to acknowledge the silencing of our sexual realities, more specifically our pleasure. Recent content analysis reveals that a measly 6.5% of existing research adopts a sex positive and intersectional framework when investigating the sexuality of Black women (Hargons, et. al, 2021). This means that the majority of research regarding our sexuality focuses on diseases, dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors, perpetuating a skewed perspective that centers on negative sexual outcomes. Consequently, Black women are consistently marginalized, body-shamed and ridiculed, which restricts our space for safe sexual expression and inhibits our right to pleasure. The legacy of American history has ingrained the belief in the Black population that our bodies are not our own, while certain religious influences, such as Christianity and Islam, validate the rhetoric that a woman’s body exists solely for procreation and male pleasure. This historical context has severely limited our opportunities for liberation, resulting in harmful impacts on our ability to practice self-love, care, respect and experience various forms of joy.
The World Health Organization affirms that to achieve sexual health, “the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled” (2022). The liberation of Black women starts with recognizing and demanding the respect and protection needed to embrace our healthy, diverse and important bodies, pleasures and desires. Sexual pleasure is not only an integral component of well-being, but an essential part of our individuality. Ignoring pleasure in any discourse regarding the sexual health of Black women presents an unrealistic conceptualization of our sexuality and perpetuates the disregard of our needs, desires and concerns (World Association for Sexual Health, 2008). By embracing progressive attitudes towards safer sex and accepting the multifaceted nature of human sexuality, we can reclaim agency over our bodies, leading to increased well-being and happiness.
6.5% of existing research adopts a sex positive and intersectional framework when investigating the sexuality of Black women (Hargons, et. al, 2021). This means that the majority of research regarding our sexuality focuses on diseases, dysfunctions and risky sexual behaviors, perpetuating a skewed perspective that centers on negative sexual outcomes.
The sexual liberation of Black women warrants the acknowledgement of the intersectionality of our identities. While it is undeniable that there remains a lack of understanding about our sexualities, the challenges and experiences we face arise from the intricate interplay of our race, gender and sexual orientations. Our pursuit of pleasure extends far beyond the boundaries of heteronormativity. As Audre Lorde observed, pleasure is inherently queer (1978). Queer pleasure, which lies at the core of queer and feminist theory, involves resisting rigid, black and white notions of pleasure and respectability politics, and instead centers fun and satisfaction.
As society progresses towards greater openness and tolerance of human sexuality, it is imperative for research to include the realities and experiences of Black women. This inclusion will help to foster a deeper understanding of our multifaceted identities and sexualities. To embody the pleasure we deserve, Black women must unlearn the harmful beliefs that disconnect us from our bodies. We can find support in platforms such as Therapy for Black Girls and Kimbritive, which provide access to sex-positive clinicians, education, and resources to help navigate the journey of sexual liberation. We must give ourselves permission to prioritize our own well-being and pleasure. Cultivating a deeper level of intimacy with ourselves is a powerful starting point for attaining true sexual liberation and empowerment. Let us remember that pleasure is our birthright—an essential and enriching aspect of our overall well-being.
Together, we can reshape the narrative surrounding Black women's sexuality, celebrate our desires and experiences, and affirm the health, diversity, and inherent value of our bodies, pleasures, and desires!
