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Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race: Uncovering the Nexus of Desire, Power, and Identity

Fred Foster

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Published in Against The Closet: Black Political Longing And The Erotics Of Race

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In her groundbreaking work, "Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race," Christina Sharpe delves into the intricate tapestry of Black political longing and its intersections with race, sexuality, and identity. This thought-provoking book explores the ways in which desire, power, and resistance intertwine within the African American experience, offering a nuanced and provocative analysis of the complexities of Black life.

The Erotics of Race

Sharpe challenges conventional understandings of race by positing it as an erotic construct, a site of both desire and rejection. She argues that the construction of Blackness as both hypersexual and asexual has been a defining aspect of white supremacy, shaping the ways in which Black bodies are perceived, regulated, and controlled.

Against the Closet: Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race

by Paulo Coelho

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	214 pages

Through an intersectional lens, Sharpe examines how race, gender, and sexuality intersect to create distinct experiences of Black longing. She explores the ways in which Black women's bodies have been objectified and sexualized as both objects of desire and repulsion, while Black men have been simultaneously eroticized and pathologized.

Desire as a Form of Resistance

Sharpe contends that Black political longing is not merely a yearning for recognition or equality, but a transformative force that can challenge and subvert the oppressive structures of white supremacy. She argues that Black desire, in all its various forms, has the potential to disrupt and dismantle the power dynamics that perpetuate racial inequality.

By examining examples of Black art, literature, and music, Sharpe illustrates how Black artists and activists have used desire as a weapon of resistance, reclaiming their own bodies and sexualities as sites of empowerment and agency.

Blackness and the Archive

An important aspect of Sharpe's work is her exploration of the role of the archive in shaping our understanding of Black political longing. She argues that the traditional archives of history, literature, and art have largely excluded and marginalized Black experiences.

Sharpe calls for the development of a "Black counter-archive," a space where Black voices and narratives can be preserved and amplified. By recovering lost and forgotten stories, we can challenge dominant narratives and create a more inclusive and equitable understanding of the Black experience.

Implications for Black Politics

"Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race" has profound implications for Black politics. By redefining race as an erotic construct and exploring the role of desire in Black resistance, Sharpe opens up new possibilities for political action and empowerment.

Sharpe argues that Black political movements must embrace the erotic aspects of Black longing, recognizing the ways in which desire can fuel resistance and transformation. She calls for a politics of love, solidarity, and self-determination that is rooted in the experiences and aspirations of Black people.

Christina Sharpe's "Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race" is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking work that challenges conventional understandings of race, sexuality, and identity. By exploring the complex interplay of desire, power, and resistance, Sharpe sheds light on the dynamics that shape the Black political experience.

Through her insightful analysis and call for a Black counter-archive, Sharpe provides a roadmap for reimagining Black politics and creating a more just and equitable society for all.

Against the Closet: Black Political Longing and the Erotics of Race

by Paulo Coelho

5 out of 5