Posts Tagged erotic autonomy

By Sesali B. • 9 years ago

Let them live: Josephine Baker, Maya Angelou, and Rihanna as erotic and holistic

Last week when I wrote about women telling their boyfriends to “check their bitches” my ending bio included an exasperated “Maya Angelou didn’t die for this shit.” And I meant it. When it comes to black women, the “shit” I’m referring to  goes beyond the defense mechanisms of scorned lovers on Love & Hip Hop. The “shit” is the continually devaluing of black women and the rejection of their sexuality and bodily autonomy. She didn’t die for us to uphold false dichotomies about the character and worth of black women.

When Rihanna shut the CFDA Awards down in her dazzling sheer gown by designer Adam Shelman, I was expecting some thot shaming. We all know how everyone ...

Last week when I wrote about women telling their boyfriends to “check their bitches” my ending bio included an exasperated “Maya Angelou didn’t die for this shit.” And I meant it. When it comes to ...
By Sesali B. • 9 years ago

“Twerk It Girl” examines twerking for autonomy and resistance

Twerk It Girl from Irma L. Garcia on Vimeo.

Everything I’ve ever wanted to say in defense of twerking has been compiled into a 5-minute documentary entitled Twerk It Girl by self-proclaimed “twerk scholar” at the University of Texas Kimari Brand. Utilizing multiple experiences — including a course on performance, feminism and social justice, a trip abroad to study Afro-Caribbean culture and politics, and her experiences as a Black girl at an institution of higher education that prioritizes white supremacist “credibility and status” — Brand has reframed the dialogue about twerking.

Twerk It Girl from Irma L. Garcia on Vimeo.

Everything I’ve ever wanted to say in defense of twerking has been compiled into a 5-minute documentary entitled Twerk It Girl by self-proclaimed “twerk scholar” at ...