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Black Hearts: The Development of Black Sexuality in America by Nick J. Myers III 260 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0745; ISBN 1-4120-0376-8; US$24.50, C$29.95, EUR19.50, £13.50 Black Hearts: The Development of Black Sexuality in America examines both the historical aspect of Blacks and sexuality as well as other sexual and relationship issues facing Blacks in America today such as Black skin color (light vs. dark), Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Blacks, Black gays, lesbians and Homophobia, Black sexual relationships and Black sexual stereotypes and their effect on Black Sexuality.
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About the Book
About the Author
Sample Excerpts
Catalogue Info
About the Book
The book is in 2 parts. The first part looks at the historical aspect of Blacks and sexuality. It begins in Africa and the sexuality among various tribes. It moves along into American slavery and the sexuality of the slaves and how sex was used against them. It then moves into Reconstruction and into the 20th century and how relationships among Blacks were influenced by the history. This section shows how the relationships between Black men and women were damaged by societal laws that were created to tear apart the Black family unit.
The second part of the book looks at other sexual and relationship issues for Blacks in America. Some of the topics include Black skin color (light vs. dark), Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Blacks, Black gays, lesbians and Homophobia, Black sexual relationships and Black sexual stereotypes and their effect on Black sexuality.
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About the Author
Nick Myers received his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Old Dominion University (1994). He received his Masters of Arts degree in Human Sexuality Education from New York University (1997). He is currently working on his Doctorate in Human Sexuality Education at Widener University in Chester, PA.
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Sample Excerpts
Preface
About Black Sexuality...
We as Black people have been through a lot, to say the least. The Black experience goes back centuries before man began to record history. In Africa, we were Kings and Queens living off the land. Then, others came to take Blacks away from their homes. We survived slavery and are still growing today, decades after Blacks were predicted to be extinct. But, within the Black community, there is one topic that still causes silence when brought up: sex. I was having a conversation with a friend who said to me "well, you know how funny Black people can be when we talk about sex." Yes, we can be 'funny' but, why are we that way?
For the longest time, we were not in control of our sexuality. While in Africa, we had developed sexual laws and beliefs that worked for us. Then, the control was taken away from us and put in the hands of someone else. After that, the American society defined Black sexuality through the creation of various sexual stereotypes. Today, when a Black person asks me a question about sex, it's always done in private, away from the ears of others. Then without fail, someone else will approach me and ask the exact same question. Is it because of privacy issues or is it because they do not want others to know they are lacking information? Why can't Blacks have a conversation about sex and sexuality without it becoming 'funny'? Deep down, I wish Blacks would be able to talk about sex in a open forum.
If this book starts Blacks talking about the issue surrounding sex and sexuality, I will be extremely happy. At the same time, this book could just fade away. If that does happen, that is alright as well. If Blacks have intelligent discussion around sex and sexuality, great! I am not saying the conversation has to be like "honey, did you have an orgasm last night? ...please pass the potatoes." Not even close. I would like to see an increase in conversation regarding the topics that are affecting Black Sexuality and Relationships in America. No more, no less.
This book is only 9 chapters long. The story of Black sexuality could easily have an unlimited numbers of chapters because it is still being written as we speak. I broke the book into 2 major sections. The first section is really the development of Black relationships. For me, I feel the concept of Black relationships in America were formed in the late 19th century to the early 20th century. They seemed to be solidified by the 1920's, if not earlier, and have not really changed since then.
The first chapter is focused on African sexual attitudes and behaviors. If the reader takes away one thing, it should be that Africans were not animals running around, having sex with anything that moved. Yes, Africans had their own beliefs and attitudes regarding sex and sexuality. As you should see, there were some tribes where the females was supposed to be a virgin at her wedding. In some cases, the male was supposed to be a virgin at his wedding. There were other tribes that were more 'open' in their sexual attitudes when compared to others. These tribes may have allowed premarital intercourse for both sexes with no social punishment. and you know what? Their belief system was just fine because it worked for them. The problem appeared when the Europeans arrived with their social views on sex and sexuality.
I also focused on the early beginnings of the slave trade in Africa and how slaves were tracked down and captured. This was important just to show the barbarity the Africans had to suffer through. Could you imagine one day you were the king of your village and the next day, you were in chains. And further, the 'middle passage' was a nightmare within itself. Over 40 million Africans were said to have died during the 'middle passage'; the Black Holocaust. The slaves were just packed in close quarters for the 3 month trip to the new world. The men were packaged down below while the Black women were allowed above deck in return for some certain 'favors' for the male crew. Many Black females arrived to the new world pregnant by non-Black fathers.
The second chapter deals with the life and sexual life of the Black slaves. In many cases, the Black men were used for stud service while the women were used as 'breeders'. For the slave owner, Black children were just another commodity to be bought and sold as they wished. Many Black families were broken up due to the desire for profit of the plantation.
The slave owners even practiced a form of Black Eugenics. In many cases, only the biggest slave males could mate with the biggest slave women. If the female slave did not want to participate, she was usually beaten or chained down until she submitted. The smaller male slaves {read: runty} were not allowed to breed and were sometimes castrated.
Even though the White plantation owners lived in a time of sexual purity, many of them did not have a problem of raping the Black female slaves. They may of had the mind set that Black were dirty and disgusting but that did not stop them from putting their penis between the legs of Black women. Further, Black men were viewed as one of the most disgusting creatures of the planet but, that surely did not stop White women from going to the male slave quarters. And if you think White women were not out there having sex with the male slaves, I have a bridge I can sell to you really cheap. Regarding White people...they were always curious!
Chapter 3 is focused on the time after slavery ended up through the 1940's. Opinions about Blacks at this time were very confusing. First, through Social Darwinism, Blacks were supposed to be a dying race. We were not supposed to make it to the year 2000. Blacks in general were supposed to be extinct by now. Well, as you can see we are still here but Blacks are dealing with social issues that are slowly destroying the race.
But, at the same time the scientists were predicting the extinction of the Black race, socially they were concerned about the high Black birth rate. In many of the southern states, birth control clinics appeared almost over night. It should be noted by the reader how many of the southern states are now against any sort of birth control education. How times change.
Also in chapter 3, it proposes the early foundation for the economic ills of the Black community. There were new laws that forced many Black males out of the work force and moved Black women into the work force. It was during this time Black males questioned their manhood against the social definition of what a 'true man' was. If he was no longer the head of the household and was not contributing economically to the function of the house, what was he? Where could he turn or what could he do to define himself?
In chapter 4, the information from the previous chapters are drawn together. First, it is shown that Black did have societal regulations around sex and sexual activity. After Blacks were brought to this country, their sexual beliefs were thrown away and replaced by new systems of beliefs that were supported by a profit margin. Black men and women were reduced to labors and breeding stock. After slavery ended, the racists ideals of the Nation did not change over night which made Black livelihood difficult if not damn near impossible. To add, it seems whenever Blacks were making improvements socially, something would appear to hold them back.
All of these things affected the Black family structure and we are still suffering from this. I know there are Blacks who refuse to accept our history as effecting the status of Blacks in this country. To them I say we are our history.
These events have influenced the different classes of Black in many ways. Some classes have become asexual, trying to separate themselves from the other class whom they feel are the natural embodiment of the sexual stereotype. Other classes accept their positions in life and try to deal with their situation the best way they can. Some of the people of this class have accepted some of the many stereotypes which has its own social and relationship implications. It is too bad these classes have chosen to separate themselves this way. In reality, they could learn a lot from one another.
This begins the second section of the book. Chapter 5 looks at how skin tone is still influencing the Black community. Is it the last taboo? If so, it is one taboo that is long lasting and shows no end in sight. There still seems to be a light=right mentality that is deeply rooted in the community. The research has found many lighter skinned Black have achieved a higher level of social success when compared to darker-skinned Blacks. Is this representation of Black though or the reflection of the White ideal of what beauty is?
Catalogue Information
