Final Exam time...Black Women and rape
...It's that time of year again. For my "English" Survey course, the final exam consisted of 25 Identifications (that is, defining concepts with respect to critical theory and identifying and explaining examples from texts read in class) and an essay portion. We were told to select any text and identify as many concepts of critical theory as possible. Pretty simple eh?
My choice was Psychoanalytic Criticism. You know, the whole "Freudian" theories on the subconscious, specifically in regards to sexual frustrations, and dreams. The text I referenced is entitled, "There were times I thought I was crazy" by Vanessa Alleyne. It's a relatively small biographical commentary on the repeated rape of Vanessa Alleyne, by her stepfather. Young Vanessa even becomes pregnant by her stepfather at 13 years old. Vanessa takes the reader through the torture of the rapes, her mother's denial of the affiars, her life as a "troubled teen" in many group homes, and her ambitions to finally bring her sex offender to justice many years later.
Another issue facing the black community that has been swept under the rug time and time again is rape and sexual assault. Being that there are people close to me, also victims of sexual assault, rape, and daily harrassment, this is another issue I want to tackle. Why aren't they speaking out? Why aren't they seeking justice? Why don't they have the emotional support of their familes? Perhaps our communities have been ostracizing our victims. Perhaps we make them feel inhuman and inferior when we constantly objectify this behavior like there's no problem here.
"It was my fault...I shouldn't have gone to his house"...."maybe if I had worn something else..."
...we need to stop blaming ourselves. And sadly, becasue black women are being silent about this, its becoming more of an "acceptance" so to speak--almost like a "normalcy" fated to anyone of the double X chromosone--almost "expected" to validate womanhood. A mother goes, "listen and you listen good...take this here as an experience, and you be strong. You'll be aiight, momma went through the same thing". You "expect" the disrespect. "Expect" the inapporpriate touches on the playground. The rump feels while lining up to lunch. Remember, nobody likes a snitch. Little John is your age, he doesn't know any better. And come on, when Uncle Tim lingered just a little longer in the no-no zone, he was just trying to help you take a bath. And for the love of God, why are you worrying about it now? Nobody put a gun to your head, and forced you to strip. You deserve it. And besides, you should be over it by now--that was over 20 years ago.
...excuses excuses...one day, we shall overcome
Labels: black folks, social issues, women
posted by ~Kesh @ 12/13/2006 01:51:00 PM
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