(Trigger warning: racism, sexualised racist violence)
There are certain “compliments” that Black women are used to hearing but are nonetheless uncomfortable with. For example, emphasising how exciting a date was because of my skin colour (“I’ve never had a thing with a Black woman”), the fetishization of some of my body parts (“I love your big lips”), or expecting an exceptionally high libido. It’s important to recognise that racism is hidden behind all of these seemingly “nice” compliments.
The connection between sex, race, and porn
The arbitrary distinctions of people based on skin colour, religious belief and ethnic origin have deep historical roots. An easy example is the myth that certain racial groups are hypersexual and animalistic, a narrative used to justify the sexual coercion and exploitation of Black women during times of slavery.
Today, racist representations persist in the porn industry. What’s striking is that behaviours and depictions that would be considered unacceptable in mainstream movies, news or social media are often tolerated within the porn industry.
Racist Porn Stereotypes
The fetishization of race in porn is evident through the perpetuation of racist stereotypes, such as the violent Black man, the submissive Asian woman or the hypersexual Black woman. In the industry, it’s no secret that people of colour are often cast in roles that don’t reflect their actual identities. These representations contribute significantly to the fetishization experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) in everyday life.
There’s also a disturbing sexualization of real-world narratives in porn, as seen in “Border Patrol” scenarios where young women from Central America are depicted illegally entering the United States, facing sexual assault by border patrol officials, and then being deported. The demand for such representations is troubling, especially considering the harsh realities faced by countless migrants.
Anyone who’s heard of “Stuck” or “Santa Claus” porn knows how the porn industry sexualises EVERYTHING. In particular, Black women and women of colour face dehumanizing and intersectional forms of discrimination in this context. Terms like “Black Ghetto Freaks” in low-budget mainstream productions (Gonzo) highlight discriminatory levels of racism, sexism, and hypersexualization.
