This work gives an overview about how sexuality has been used in history to express racism, and how some ethnicities are fetishized even today.
There are many ways in which People of Colour (POC) have to endure racism. Discrimination of PoC and minorities is a practice with a very old history. As a society we have already gone a long way, and expressing one's own culture, sexual orientation, or history is mostly accepted today. But from slavery to political right pressure many western democratic states experience the last few decades, racism has been and probably will be a huge problem for a long time. Not only racism but also sexism from our society and our way of life. Sexism comes in many forms. It's not always easy to detect and is internalized in our society, just as racism is, too.
Racism is not only slavery or right-wing extremists, it is also sitting away from a black man in the bus, touching someone's afro hair because it 'feels different', or sexualizing black women because of their skin colour. There are a lot of ways to express racism and sexism and not even realizing that one is doing it.
In this paper, I will discuss how white people use sexuality to discriminate against People of Colour by explaining sexuality and racism in the 20th century with the example of the poem 'The Harlem Dancer' by Claude McKay, fetishization and exoticization, and the denial of sexuality of PoC.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. "The Harlem Dancer" by Claude McKay – Racism and sexism in the 20th century
- 3. Fetishization and Exoticism
- 4. The Denial of Sexuality of People of Colour
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. Works Cited
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the ways in which white people used sexuality to discriminate against People of Colour (POC) in the 20th century. It analyzes how racism and sexism intersected to create oppressive conditions for black women. The paper uses Claude McKay's poem "The Harlem Dancer" as a case study to illustrate these themes.
- The intersection of racism and sexism in the 20th century
- The use of sexuality as a tool of racial discrimination
- The objectification and fetishization of black women
- The denial of sexuality to people of color
- The portrayal of racism and sexism in literature
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the enduring nature of racism and sexism against People of Colour (POC). It posits that racism manifests in subtle and overt ways, often intertwined with sexism, and introduces the paper's central argument: the examination of how white individuals leverage sexuality to discriminate against POC. The chapter establishes the historical context, acknowledging progress in societal acceptance but also stressing the ongoing pervasive nature of racism and sexism. It previews the subsequent sections, outlining the use of Claude McKay's poem, the concepts of fetishization and exoticization, and the denial of sexuality as key analytical lenses.
2. "The Harlem Dancer" by Claude McKay – Racism and sexism in the 20th century: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of Claude McKay's poem, "The Harlem Dancer," published in 1917. The chapter uses the poem to illustrate the complex interplay of racism and sexism in early 20th-century America. The poem's depiction of a Black female dancer performing for a predominantly white male audience is meticulously examined. The analysis focuses on how the poem exposes the objectification and sexualization of the Black female dancer, highlighting the power dynamics inherent in the situation. The chapter connects the poem's imagery to the broader historical context of racial and sexual oppression of Black women, drawing parallels to the legal realities and social norms of the time. The chapter argues that McKay's poem is a powerful critique of the societal structures that enabled and perpetuated such abuses.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Racism, sexism, People of Colour (POC), sexual discrimination, objectification, fetishization, exoticization, Claude McKay, "The Harlem Dancer," 20th-century America, power dynamics, oppression, historical context, literary analysis.
Claude McKay's "The Harlem Dancer": An Academic Analysis - FAQ
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper examines how white individuals used sexuality as a tool to discriminate against People of Colour (POC) in the 20th century, focusing on the intersection of racism and sexism. It uses Claude McKay's poem, "The Harlem Dancer," as a case study to illustrate these themes.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the intersection of racism and sexism, the use of sexuality as a tool of racial discrimination, the objectification and fetishization of Black women, the denial of sexuality to people of color, and the portrayal of these issues in literature.
Which poem is analyzed in the paper, and why?
The paper analyzes Claude McKay's poem, "The Harlem Dancer." This poem is chosen because it powerfully illustrates the complex interplay of racism and sexism in early 20th-century America, specifically the objectification and sexualization of a Black female dancer performing for a predominantly white male audience.
What is the historical context discussed in the paper?
The paper establishes a historical context for understanding the racism and sexism experienced by Black women in early 20th-century America. It acknowledges societal progress while emphasizing the continued prevalence of these discriminatory practices.
How does the paper analyze "The Harlem Dancer"?
The paper provides a detailed analysis of the poem's imagery, connecting it to the broader historical context of racial and sexual oppression of Black women. The analysis focuses on the power dynamics depicted in the poem and how it exposes the societal structures that perpetuated these abuses.
What are the main conclusions of the paper?
The paper concludes that "The Harlem Dancer" serves as a powerful critique of the societal structures that enabled and perpetuated racism and sexism against Black women in the 20th century. It highlights the enduring nature of these issues and the importance of understanding their interconnectedness.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Racism, sexism, People of Colour (POC), sexual discrimination, objectification, fetishization, exoticization, Claude McKay, "The Harlem Dancer," 20th-century America, power dynamics, oppression, historical context, literary analysis.
What is included in the provided preview of the paper?
The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It provides a comprehensive overview of the paper's content and arguments.
- Quote paper
- Lea Maurer (Author), 2021, The Usage of Sexuality to Express Racism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1383220
