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Discrimination

Back on the Auction Block: A Discussion of Black Women and Pornography

Back on the Auction Block: A Discussion of Black Women and PornogrpahyFull Article Name: Back on the Auction Block: A Discussion of Black Women and Pornography

Open Access: Yes

Abstract

This paper has the specific purpose of arguing that pornography, despite all its other ills, wreaks particular havoc on Black women because of the way they are portrayed. Pornography demoralizes and weakens the Black community by exploiting stereotypes of Black sexuality, all the while, doing a grave disservice to society on the whole by assuming (in some cases correctly) that society is ignorant enough to fall prey to the attitudes expressed by the pornographic images. In developing this argument, the paper will begin with a general description of the harms associated with pornography. Next, the particular harms associated with the image of the Black woman in pornography will be explored. Thirdly, there will be a discussion of mainstream feminist theories and their suitability for addressing the problems that were outlined in part two. Finally, the Black feminist theory developed through the criticism in the third part will be applied in analyzing the litigation strategy used by the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) in arguing the 1992 R. v. Butler case before the Supreme Court of Canada.

    Citation

    Amoah, J. D. (1997). Back on the auction block: A discussion of Black women and pornography. National Black Law Journal, 14(2), 204–221. 

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