Black Women, Sexual Assault, and the Art of Resistance
Aishah Shahidah Simmons and NO! The Rape Documentary featured in FORBESWOMAN article, by Brooke Axtell, on Black Women and Sexual Assault
On April 25, 2012, FORBESWOMAN published Brooke Axtell’s “Black Women, Sexual Assault, and the Art of Resistance” article. Axtell is the creator of SHE: Survivor, Healing & Empowerment, which is “a healing community for survivors of rape, abuse and sex trafficking, as well as their allies.” So, it comes as no surprise that she would write an article exploring the specific challenges facing Black women survivors of rape and sexual assault. Citing sobering statistics compiled by Black Women’s Blueprint, The Black Women’s Health Imperative, and the US Department on Justice, Axtell delves into the various reasons why so many Black women choose not to report their rape. She references the scholarship and activism of Lori Sasai Robinson, Dr. Gail Elizabeth Wyatt, Dr. Danielle L. McGuire, and Dr. Charlotte Pierce-Baker, who have each spent numerous years researching and writing about Black women and rape. Axtell also places Aishah Shahidah Simmons and her documentary film NO! along a continuum of Black women’s creative resistance against all forms of sexual violence perpetuated against Black women and girls. Black Women, Sexual Assault, and the Art of Resistanceis another powerful intervention in raising awareness about the horrific impact of the intersections of race, gender, class, and sexuality on many Black women rape and sexual assault survivors. Axtell writes,
[…]Historically, law enforcement has been used to control African-American communities through brutality and racial profiling. It may be difficult for a Black woman to seek help if she feels it could be at the expense of African-American men or her community. The history of racial injustice (particularly the stereotype of the Black male as a sexual predator) and the need to protect her community from further attack might persuade a survivor to remain silent. We need more research to fully understand the scope of violence against Black women and the barriers they face to receiving support services. This requires both the political will and funding to make their lives a priority. Unfortunately, due to a long history of systemic racism and classism in the United States, the violation of Black women’s bodies is often rendered invisible.
You may read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
As of April 30, 2012, “Black Women Sexual Assault and the Art of Resistance” has been picked up by several sites including:
http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2012/04/25/black-women-sexual-assault-and-the-art-of-resistance/
http://tbann.com/blog/black-women-sexual-assault-and-the-art-of-resistance/
http://legalnews.findlaw.com/article/05Gt4B5cBggO6
http://www.ncrw.org/news-center/media-roundup
“What I’m interrogating is why hundreds of thousands of us are so clear that it’s not okay to blame Trayvon Martin for his murder because of his choice of clothing the day that he was viciously gunned down by Zimmerman, but more of us are not clear that girls and women should not be directly and/or indirectly called sluts and whores based on their choice of attire; and subsequently blamed for any form of abuse they may experience because of the same. This kind of victim-blaming happens far too frequently with victim-survivors of gender-based violence. Ironically, Rivera expressed some (perhaps perfunctory) grief for Trayvon’s murder. For most victim-survivors of sexual assault and rape, however, we are not only blamed, but too often there is very little grief or sadness expressed on our behalf. Just reflect upon the treatment of the 11-year old girl-child in Cleveland, Texas, Ms. Nafissatou Diallo, and most victim-survivors whose testimonies are known.” ~ Aishah Shahidah SImmons, Who Will Revere Us? (Black LGTBQ Straight People, Straight Women, and Girls) (part 4), for The Feminist Wire
Read the conclusion to this series in its entirety here —-> http://bit.ly/JpCLI4
“This country has a virulent history of racist violence perpetuated against Black Women, yet we have tried to protect Black men from racism. Like Black men, Black women have been horribly impacted by white supremacy. Yet, there is often not the same outcry in our communities when a Black woman is raped,” ~Aishah Shahidah Simmons in Brooke Axtell’s “Black Women, Sexual Assault and the Art of Resistance” for ForbesWoman
Read article in its entirety here —>http://onforb.es/JoYwVH
“…Historically, law enforcement has been used to control African-American communities through brutality and racial profiling. It may be difficult for a Black woman to seek help if she feels it could be at the expense of African-American men or her community. The history of racial injustice (particularly the stereotype of the Black male as a sexual predator) and the need to protect her community from further attack might persuade a survivor to remain silent…” ~ Brooke Axtell, Black Women, Sexual Assault, and the Art of Resistance, ForbesWoman
Read the article in its entirety —> http://onforb.es/JoYwVH
…There was a time when an African descended woman would accuse a white man of sexually assaulting or raping her and the African-American community would not only be alarmed, but they would mobilize into direct action. That time is long gone. Ms. Nafissatou Diallo, an African immigrant from Guinea who worked as a maid at the Sofitel Hotel in New York accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who, at the time, was managing director of the International Monetary Fund, of sexual assault and attempted rape on May 14, 2011…” Aishah Shahidah Simmons, “Who Will Revere Us? (Black LGTBQ People, Straight Women, and Girls)” (Part 2) for The Feminist Wire.
Aishah Shahidah Simmons will speak at Duke University on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
I Am Nafisatou Diallo.
As an incest and rape survivor, I long for the day when WE (women AND men) will begin to PUBLICLY identify with rape victim/survivors, especially those women of color victim/survivors who have the ability and courage to come forward and risk being metaphorically RAPED again by the court of racist/sexist/misogynist public opinion, the media, let alone the defense team of the (alleged) rapist.
I AM NAFISATOU DIALLO.
I’m looking forward to attending the Cascade AIDS Project Second Annual “For Colored Girls: Women & Girls Health Fair” where I will deliver the keynote address “Breaking Silence(s) Around Oppression” at 12:30pm (pst)
This year’s theme: “NO to Rape and Domestic Violence”
Saturday, March 17th, 9am - 4pm
Portland Community College
Student Center, 705 NE Killingsworth
FREE and OPEN to the public
SEEKING JUSTICE: COMMUNITIES OF AFRICAN DESCENT DISCUSS RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN THE U.S.
BlackWomen’s Blueprint in collaboration with Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families will hold a public meeting, which will be parallel to the United Nation’s 56th Session of the Commission On The Status of Women to discuss sexual violence, communities of African descent and accountability within the U.S
The Church Center for The UNITED NATIONS
777 First Avenue at 44th Street. New York, N.Y. 10017.
March 7, 2012
6-8PM.
http://www.facebook.com/events/182633678516466/
