The discussion over racism has been taking different directions by different individuals involved. In this case, some view the discussion as uncomfortable and unnecessary, while others enjoy it. For example, Chapter 9 (Blinding Whiteness? Race and BDSM) of the book “Thinking Kink: The Collision of BDSM, Feminism and Popular Culture” by Catherine Scott discusses how different people perceive discussions on sexuality. The chapter focuses on racism impacts the discussion and how BDSM practitioners respond. The author claims that sexual deviancy exists in society, and cultural norms, taboos, and beliefs regulate it. However, BDSM practitioners find it controversial in their discussions. I agree with the author’s arguments in this chapter because of various reasons rationalized by human understanding and the nature of diversity. This paper’s primary purpose is to discuss the author’s main argument in the above chapter and reflect on my position.
According to the book, the issue of sexual deviancy exists in society. Sexual deviancy is sexual behavior that does not conform to what society perceives as normal. Society has normal perceptions of how sex should be done and under what circumstances. Therefore, some societies view queer behaviors as sexual deviancy. Deviant sex is regulated through different means. One of the ways in which deviant sex is regulated is through racial and gender profiling. Scott argues that just as white women are linked to white privilege and black women are associated with the history of slavery, it is the same way deviant sex is associated with people of color. In Chapter 9 of the book, Scott finds that most whites devalued black women’s bodies and sexuality. They created notions that devalue blackness and its sexuality. I agree with this claim because the systematic racism mostly found in the United States of America does not give black women the best positions in society compared to white women.
In the chapter, the author points out that people should not bring what they do privately to the public. The public, more so the BDSM practitioners, are uncomfortable using racial terms, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this case, white people are highly likely to get distressed when watching race play in public. “It also shows how the distinction between publicly acceptable kinks and private play is often drawn: do what you want behind closed doors, but don’t drag it out in public for everyone else to see” (Scott, 2015, p.186). This implies that the public is inclined by taboos that define what is right and wrong. They feel the same when they view deviant sexual behavior. They feel that deviant sexual behavior should be done privately, and there is no need to bring it in public. In my opinion, people are sometimes uncomfortable with some sexual activities. This is due to the way they were raised and the cultural norms, beliefs, and aspects they were exposed to. Therefore, it is true that exposing some sexual behaviors to some people in public can be uncomfortable for them, and they may view it as weird, uncomfortable, and unnecessary.
The author also argues that white people have taken black bodies, marking them as deviant and lascivious. However, Scott argues that that does not mean that black bodies are deviant and lascivious. Therefore, she argues that black women should not live with imaginary white rules that do not conform to reality. Scott claims that many black women have lived imagining that their bodies are not acceptable just because some white sentiments dictate so. Therefore, she argues that black women can identify their pride in their bodies and live in freedom because there is nothing wrong with their sexual identities. I agree with the author’s argument because everyone is equal. There are no scientific facts to prove that white bodies and sexuality are better than black bodies and their sexuality. However, all these distinctions are developed by racist individuals who wanted and still want to spread their philosophies for individualistic benefits. Everyone should be proud of their sexualities, bodies, and identities.
References
Scott, C. (2015). Thinking Kink: The collision of BDSM, feminism and popular culture. McFarland.
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