Sexual Schizophrenia

If sex is labeled in American culture as a taboo, inappropriate topic to talk about, then sex crimes must be too much for anyone to handle. Sex is just one of those vague topics that has more than one connotation. Narrowing the focus is the most challenging part because everyone has something to say, especially if it involves negative images, portrayals and feelings.

No one wants to talk about it, but it’s so easy to watch and sink into on the TV or the internet. So many people are aware of the act itself yet ignore or don’t know the spiritual, emotional/mental and physical effects that take place after. Some consider it a sacred act and some do it for shiggles. Now, for the love of sanity, this article is addressing how sex is perceived in society. I ain’t telling y’all to do anything, you’re grown (if you’re in high school reading this, you just think you’re grown). Why does it sell so well in America? And why did I choose these four women to talk about? 

Lorena Bobbit, Photo courtesy of Bestuff



La Toya Jackson, Photo courtesy of Ebony Magazine

Janet Jackson, Photo courtesy of Ebony Magazine

Paris Hilton, Photo courtesy of Genius Beauty Magazine

                                           

They all have been persecuted by society and have been wronged as to their sexuality. If you’re a woman who won’t let stereotypes define your sexuality, more power to you; just expect a lot of whiny, irritated, and intimidated people who won’t agree with you.

Lorena (Bobbitt) Gallo partially castrated her porno star husband John Bobbitt in 1993. Bobbitt admitted in court that he abused his wife physically, emotionally, and sexually but the media complied their negative image of Gallo as an insane woman with bloody knives. Not to mention the popular doo-wop song, In the Jungle had a lyrical update for Gallo’s case, “In the jungle the mighty jungle the lion sleep tonight, In the kitchen the mighty kitchen Lorena steals a knife, a-wiener-whack-a-wiener-whack…”  (Bell, Benedict and Jackson)

When Jack Gordon became the husband and manager of La Toya Jackson, no one would expect him to sexually exploit and profit off of her. If Jackson didn’t comply with Gordon’s sexual demands of performing in strip clubs and doing porno movies, he would physically assault her and threaten to kill her famous siblings. He wouldn’t allow her to have any contact with her family and sold property owned by them without consulting his wife. Jackson’s name is constantly associated with family estrangement and the ‘black sheep’ label. (Gordon v. Jackson Gordon)

Even though Janet Jackson is known for exploring her sexual independence through her music, the mishap of the 2004 Super Bowl half-time show made it easier for America to criticize her. After the accidental wardrobe malfunction, Jackson was making apologies left and right for what happened. While her Damita Jo album took a temporary decline in sales and she received less airtime on BET, MTV, and VH1, Justin Timberlake’s popularity went up and he was hardly blamed for what happened. He acknowledged to John Norris on MTV that America media was unfair on women and more unfair on ethnic people (Norris and Moss).

Around that same time Janet was being persecuted by the media, Paris Hilton was being hailed as “hot” for One Night in Paris. The Simple Life’s star then boyfriend, Rick Salomon who was in the video, enhanced the video himself and had it distributed with help from the Red Light District Company in 2004. After he got the video out, he sues Hilton for defamation of character.  The video got mixed reviews but guys still wanted to date her and girls wanted to be her. So, who is wrong, the media or the women? (Serpe)

While Hilton became famous after her tape was released, the Jackson sisters both were besmirched by the media as having no control over their sexuality. The abuse La Toya was suffering by Gordon was taken with a grain of salt as she was sullied by a depraved monster and became a martyr to societal flaws. Janet had a chance to witness the hypocrisy the public used against her sexuality because before the wardrobe malfunction, nobody made a fuss. After it, everybody had something to say and the only thing Janet was allowed to say was an apology.

Society’s stereotypes of Hispanic women include them as being passive lovers and by Gallo refusing to remain passive, marital rape was formally introduced as a questionable issue in such a world that thrives on the bowels of sexism, racism, and capitalism. Because of Gallo, she and other feminist groups that supported her made it clear that rape is rape no matter if two people are married or absolute strangers. Besides, did anyone ever question John Bobbitt’s choice of career or why he treated his wife the way he did? How does sexuality contrast with white women?

In shows, such as Sex and the City, the four Caucasian women seem to be involved in “relations” almost all of the time, but there was supposedly meaning behind their sexual behavior. Whereas black women are constantly perceived as either the asexual working horse or highly sexual women with limited or no educational background (Wyatt). Throughout history, women and other victims believed that they deserved to get raped because all men, rapist or not, find women irresistible (Benedict).

It’s a sad fact that even though women are defined as an equal counter for men, the mistreatment they receive increases at an intense, nauseating manner. And this twisted elegant art of madness where man dominates his own kind to his and her own injury is what we citizens call home.

Sources and References

Bell, Rachael. Crimes Below the Belt.

Benedict, Helen. (1992). Virgin or Vamp: How the Press Covers Sex Crimes. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press.

Gordon, Jack Leon v. Gordon, LaToya Jackson. District Court of Clark County, Nevada, March 3, 1998

Jackson, Danielle. Culture Culture: Conversations in Cultural Critics.

Jackson, LaToya on Frank Skinner’s talk show.  http://youtube.com/watch?v=3VnPqCAv47c

McCloud, Dr Melody T. Open Season on America’s Black Women. www.tributetoblackwomen.com

Norris, John and Moss, Corey (2006). Justin Timberlake’s Future Shock. MTV News,

                MTV Network

Serpe, Gina. Paris Sues to Cover Exposure. E!Online

Wyatt, Dr. Gail E. (1997). Stolen Women: Reclaiming our Sexuality, Taking Back our Lives. New York City, NY: John Wiley and Sons

Posted in Fall 2008 issue of Fahari Libertad Magazine.