“In the first section of the book titled, We “Other Victorians”, Foucault introduces repressive hypothesis theory. Repressive theory is the thought that modern western society has repressed its sexuality. Explained another way, the theory means to say society has silenced aspects of the language, signs, symbols and semantics associated with a particular kind of discussion about sex and sexuality. This collection of pieces that influence a discussion around something is known as discourse. The cause of this repression is traced back to the 17th century Victorian age through to the 20th century. But the rise of capitalism and the growing bourgeois community of the Victorian age are thought to be the main cause of the repression of sexuality. The growth of this upper middle-class community is said to have brought with it materialistic values. Coinciding with this, the growth of capitalism meant working people didn’t have time to engage in many pleasurable things.
A growing class of people with materialistic values would be aligned with the growth of capitalism as an avenue to accomplish their materialistic values. Sexuality was confined to the home and the imperial prude imposed itself as the model and its norms were pushed onto society. Unorthodox sexuality was moved to a place where it could be monetized. These places were the brothel and the mental hospital. Sexual deviants were sent here to be rehabilitated and monetized. These were the “other Victorians”. To combat this repression, the hypothesis believes that society rebelled by talking more about sex and being more open and engaging with sexuality. Surprisingly, Foucault rejects the notion of the repressive hypothesis saying that sex and sexuality were never really repressed. Foucault wonders openly why westerners believe that their sexuality was repressed and why society believes it is such a taboo topic.
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Part 2, titled “The Repressive Hypothesis”, Foucault goes in the opposite direction of part 1. Foucault urges that from the 17th century to the 20th century, there was an explosion around sexual discourse. A driving force for this increased interest in sex was the church, specifically, the Catholic church and confessional. Church goers and Christians were told to confess their sins to priest and much of the confessionals were centered around sexual desires, sex and sexuality. The details of sexuality were emphasized in confessional. As such, censorship and proper vocabulary became a focal point regarding sex. Discussions around sex could only occur in certain settings and could be spoken of in a specific manner. But still, the increased interest in sexuality spilled out and society became obsessed with sexuality. This sexuality did not fit within the social norms and marital status. Foucault provides evidence of this by pointing to the publication of My Secret Life in the late 19th century.
The book was written anonymously and detailed the wild and explicit sex life of a Victorian upper-class gentlemen. Other parts of society began to join the conversation of sexuality. People within society began to study sexuality almost as a form of science. Therapist became self-proclaimed experts on the topic while governments took notice of the trends and included itself in the discussion as somewhat of a regulator of the people and sexuality. The thought was, the order of things needed to be maintained. Canonical and civil law were the primary regulators of sexuality. As a result, power dynamics were created between the people of society and institutions of society. Sexuality was policed in the form of proper conduct versus misconduct. The focus shifted from marriage and sexuality to perversion and sexuality. Specifically, Foucault states the shift of sexuality focused on children, medicine and the mentally ill, criminals and homosexuals. As a result, more people were labeled as perverts or abnormal. Sexual actions that were once viewed as normal or acceptable were essentially criminalized. Homosexuality was labeled more as a species rather than a sexual preference.
A pleasure power dynamic was enacted between the perverted citizens and those who studied their actions. Power was taken by institutions such as the church, through confessionals and small group interaction in protestant culture; medicine and medical examination; schools and their pedagogical tactics; the family and its ability to manipulate values and lessons passed down to members; Additionally, people within society took part in certain aspects of perverted sexuality but in specific places and times such as strip/sex clubs, brothels and pornography, many times attempting to hide what they were partaking in.”
Race And Gender Issues In Black Panther
“In the film “”Black Panther,”” T’Challa returned to the nation of Wakanda to become King after the death of his father. T’Challa must rally his allies, consisting of mostly women, to defeat his foes. With the fate of the entire world (not just Wakanda) at risk, T’Challa must release the full power of the Black Panther. As the film goes on, it becomes evident that women are incredibly important for his mission to be a success. “Black Panther,” says a lot about the intersection of race and gender in their portrayal of black women. Black women face oppression on a level that differs from the oppression that is being faced by white women in addition to that of black males. This is due to black women having two separate forces working against them (gender and race). To defy the system that oppresses them, black women must break through two barriers that have been working systemically and institutionally to hold them back. This concept of intersectionality has become a vital part of critical race theory through the years. It teaches the reality of breaking down oppressive power structures for all people facing oppression. The emphasis on an intersectional approach in feminism works to uphold social justice for those who are marginalized. Intersectional feminism relates to the liberation of the many being suppressed.
The women of Wakanda are portrayed as being powerful. All of them appear to be used to having their opinions and voices heard. They act as though they are completely at ease with occupying a role of power. The roles they play in the film “Black Panther” are of great power and prestige. In response to the positions they are in, the women are not surprised or humbled. This is their concept of normal. Wakanda acts as this paradise where sexism does not appear to exist mostly. This is partially due to the Afrofuturism influence seen in the film. Afrofuturism “authors updated older, well-established story forms — including the gothic, the fantastic journey, and utopian fiction — with detailed references to modern scientific theories and technological developments” (Afrofuturism, Science Fiction, and the History of the Future). “Black Panther” obviously drew from the concept of creating a utopian society. In this utopian society without sexism, no woman is objectified, abused, or belittled because they are female. Throughout the film, the Wakandan women demonstrate their skill by saving the lives of men and women alike. They have the power and ability to make their own decisions regarding allegiance. The strength of Wakanda women is obvious considering that there is an entirely female military protecting their king. As the king, The Black Panther’s safety is of the utmost importance to their nation and the responsibility to keep him safe is put on the female general and her militia filled with women. The film challenges the sexist thought of men being strong as women are weak by having these female bodyguards/warriors save T’Challa. Beyond their physical abilities, the Wakandan women have great minds. All the tech that the Black Panther used is made by a teen girl. Shuri, T’Challa’s 16-year-old sister, is the genius behind the operation. She thinks of new and innovative ways to use technology as she creates gadgets to better Wakandan society. Shuri is a wonderful representation for young girls of color that may be interested in pursuing a STEM field. Shuri proves with her scientific advancements that girls can be amazing in STEM. The women in “Black Panther” really stand on their own but their interactions with T’Challa show that they are seen as equal (since he relies on them so much).
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