What's love got to do?

Cross Currents, Fall, 2004 by Stephanie Y. Mitchem

The treatment of African American women as "hoochie mamas" or whores is an extension of the belief that the women want sexual activity, which includes the related belief that rough and painful intercourse is preferred. There are some negative biological interpretations of black men as well as women in the act of rape: the men are judged such sexual animals that they could not help themselves; black women are believed to want the act, even if they clearly say "no."

      As Black women, we are twice as likely to be raped as white women
      and less likely to report it.... Rape is trivialized and ignored.
      So many women are afraid they won't be believed, and if they are,
      they'll be blamed for doing something to provoke the attack....
      But despite slavery's legacy of rape, the sad and ugly truth is
      that it is not only the white man whom we need to fear. More often
      than not, it is Black men who rape Black women. The rapist may be
      our father, husband, date, or stranger, but in eight of every ten
      rapes of Black women, the rapist's face will be Black. (11)

The sexual image of African American women is encouraged and supported today by African American men. Strip clubs have become very popular forms of entertainment for African American men, surprisingly for young men in particular. (12)

The original aim of my writing was to consider black women's love relationships within the context of spirituality and healing. However, I discovered in many words and works as well as on a Brooklyn sidewalk that the issues involved in matters of the heart are beyond the construction of gender roles. Intimate relationships will reflect structures of approved sexuality, thus everything from the political sex history to strip clubs needs consideration. A chapter in the book easily became two and could have grown into a volume by itself. Two matters particularly demonstrate some ways that the above issues are expressed in black women's lives. These two can even be named sin: sexism and homophobia.

Sexism in black communities damages African American psyches: what does it mean to be a whole human being in this world? Black feminist anthropologist Cheryl Rodriguez stated, "I realize that while growing up, I witnessed Black women enduring many forms of oppression within the Black community. Sexist beliefs and practices were as common as rain and often appeared to be the natural order of life." (13) Any street corner, living room, or pulpit may find some black group advocating race-based sexism. The race-based sexism is not limited to marriage relationships. African American community members often expect the men to "take care" of the women. This taking-care does not always translate into the same kind of patriarchy, with full power, money, and control that white men can more readily access. Instead, many African American women will decry the lack of men, and very financially independent black women will complain that they are tired of "taking the man's role." Black feminist bell hooks stated: