The image of black women as sexual commodities is brilliantly dissected in this article. I think the issue of a woman’s purity is something that will remain hotly contested until the end of time. It will never change because of the patriarchal society that we live and inhabit. I do think the political patriarchy needs women to remain to be symbols of purity, because they in a sense can be used to be symbols of the nation, after all, women were assigned to be the vessels of the future population. My question is, does being a Jezebel, or a ”fallen woman” make you less than perfect?
Clearly in cultures where honour killings have happened, virginity & innocence are seen as paramount. And this is not just to do with Islam, I think it is a cultural trait that is visible in many parts of the world. I have even noticed how much importance I attach/attached to virginity. I do think it is important that women/girls wait until they are sure. I don’t think it is something that should be seen as like buying a new top or something. Not because I think women should be symbols of purity, but because it is something that when done in love, it is special but outside love, I think it has the possibility of being harmful for both men, women and society. Now, I am not necessarily advocated sex-within-marriage as I did not follow that and I do think it is possible to be happy as a woman by having it outside marriage but I do think the associations that the patriarchy puts on women who are sexually active is too destructive for us to ignore and think that we live in a world of pseudo-sexual equality.
I think women should have sexual freedoms as they see fit. But I don’t think it is realistic for people to assume that all cultures will accept women being sexually free. Sexually free women is associated with being dirty and loose. Where did this image come from? Women have been taught to be exclusive of their sexuality because it allows the patriarchy to appear more manly if they have a ”good girl”.
I am in two minds of this concept of the Jezebel/fallen women. I don’t believe men or women should be promiscuous but I don’t think that you need to be in marriage to have sex either to an extent. Lol, it is such a difficult topic; my views change so much with it. Could it be because when I lost my virginity, it changed me? Maybe… I need to give this some more thought.
When I think about the Jezebel topic the modern example of it could be some of Halle Berry’s work. You do have a point in this world women are placed in two categories either the pure pristine woman or the loose/fallen women. Why can’t there be a middle ground? Why are men allowed to express our sexuality more but women are condemned? I think this has to do with male domination and feminism has been vocal about this.
I notice however, in the mainstream media I feel black female sexuality is often depicted in a negative light. Now first, I’m not suggesting Halle Berry is not a talented actress because she is. However, “Monster’s Ball” I mean I feel movies such as that perpetuate negative stereotypes. I notice that Berry seems to get so much press attention just because she is considered beautiful by the mainstream media.
@Baby Please — that is very true. it is a syndrome that will never go away
@memphiz — i think it has changed me to a certain extent but i do think i am still the same person emotionally. i do think it makes you more attached to the person you are with too.
@rawdawgbuffalo — that is so sweet!
i think that is a great question, i just wan a woman to be mine and im her’s period
yes this topic makes me think if you dont mind me asking do you think it changed you in a good or bad way?
People always have thoughts about how others should behave. Damnned if you do; damnned if you don’t. They talk about you if you whore and you catch hell if you’re a spinster.