Use of Eroticism Within Black Lesbian Literature
With the use of speculative fiction and erotica, authors have made it possible for Black lesbians to feel accepted within this written word. Serving as an outlet for creativity and sexuality women, especially Black lesbians, are able to depict their true identity and innermost thoughts, feelings and desires. Throughout Don't Explain, Jewelle Gomez promotes powerful identities and images in regards to her characters and the sexual relationships in which they are involved.
"We tend to think of the erotic as an easy, tantalizing sexual arousal. I speak of the erotic as the deepest life force, a force which moves us toward living in a fundamental way." -Audre Lorde
Graphic Scenes Within Literature
Although graphic scenes depicted throughout erotic literature, especially Don't Explain, oftentimes tend to make the audience feel uncomfortable this way of writing also serves to open the eyes and minds of readers. Interpersonal struggles and identity issues are seen within these types of relationships and scenes, which serves to further enhance the character's as well as the reader's experience.
It's important for the reader to determine what it is about graphic sexual scenes within literature so uncomfortable and/or taboo. Is it the sexual preference of the character's? Or maybe just the simple notion that it's sex is enough make the text difficult to read. Whatever the reason may be, the audience will not be able to fully grasp the work of the author without determining the problem and resolving to fix it before moving forward. Gomez uses sex to show self acceptance in a healthy way, which is what reader's should keep in mind while reading.
Ounce of Charm:
Gomez's Once of Charm depicts graphic and descriptive sexual detail is juxtaposed with the rest of the story's lighthearted commentary within the character's card games.
"She touched her nipples and they were hard, like little candies. Well, girl, she leaned back and opened her legs. Her thatch of curlies was already wet. First, she rubbed the lips, and then, when she touched that hard button, she knew she'd hit gold...You gonna deal?" (52)
"Okay deal the cards." (54)
This writing downplays the "shock" of graphic sex by using casual conversation and card playing as it's backdrop.
White Flower & Piece of Time:
In these short stories Gomez separates a sexual relationship from a romantic one, yet the main characters are just as fulfilled. It is important as a reader to realize that there is a difference between a romantic, amorous partnership and a passionate, purely carnal escapade. Neither one discredits the other because they cannot be compared. Gomez is able to show simple desire without feeling the need to include deep feelings.
More on the Erotica
When exploring the work of Collins, she states in Black Sexual Politics:
"Despite considerable heterogeneity, when it comes to African understandings of the body generally and sexuality in particular, several commonalities exist: the open expression of strong feelings and emotions; being more at ease with sensuality and eroticism as aspects of use of body; openness about use of body both through appearance and movement..." (Collins, 210)
A Word from Jewelle Gomez
When asked about her intention in reader response pertaining to the erotic in her writing, Gomez responded:
"As a feminist I have worked hard for women to regain our sense of sexual self apart from the dominant culture's objectification and exploitation. Women have been and continue to be portrayed as simply objects of male pleasure. Female pleasure is always secondary or made to seem scandalous. I wanted to portray some women characters who were enjoying their sexual lives in a healthy way.... Of course not every one enjoys the same type of erotica just as not every one enjoys the same type of sex. Maybe that it was lesbian sex put the readers off? Only the readers can examine that for themselves. Actually feeling something when reading explicit sexual writing is a good thing I'd say. The 'ick' response may be nature's way of saying you're not ready for this. "
"As a feminist I have worked hard for women to regain our sense of sexual self apart from the dominant culture's objectification and exploitation. Women have been and continue to be portrayed as simply objects of male pleasure. Female pleasure is always secondary or made to seem scandalous. I wanted to portray some women characters who were enjoying their sexual lives in a healthy way.... Of course not every one enjoys the same type of erotica just as not every one enjoys the same type of sex. Maybe that it was lesbian sex put the readers off? Only the readers can examine that for themselves. Actually feeling something when reading explicit sexual writing is a good thing I'd say. The 'ick' response may be nature's way of saying you're not ready for this. "