HISTORICAL
SILENCES

White masters raped black female slaves, which meant:

-Forced silence

-No physical protection

-Treated as property of masters

-Seen as sexual objects

-Black female slaves were unable to define themselves for themselves

LEGAL
SILENCES

Rapes are more likely to end in a conviction the more closely they resemble the image that criminal justice personnel have of rape

-The rape of black women is not seen as "real rape" because historical dehumanization and stereotypes that they have endured

-In addition, black women are hesitant about reporting their sexual assaults and feel they cannot be raped

 

COMMUNITY
SILENCES

Historical and present cultural depictions of black women:

-Are over sexualized

-Prioritize their race first and their gender last

-Promotes silence surrounding the victimization of black women rather than reporting to authorities

SECOND HAND SILENCES

Due to gender/societal misconceptions, romantic partners may view the rape as a breach of sexual fidelity

In the case of acquaintance rape, assailants will threaten the victim against speaking out

Supporters usually experience the strong desire for retribution or justicial action. However, since most victims are hesitant to break silence they often miss the opportunity to gather evidence and file a concrete report against the perpetrator

No!
Means no!
Even when men think
that they are god’s gift to women
even after dropping a week’s check & more
on dinner by the ocean,
the four tops, temptations and intruders memory tour,
imported wine & rose that captured her smile,
suggested to you private music and low lights
drowning out her inarticulated doubts.

Question the thousand-years teachings
Crawling through your lower depths and
don’t let your little head
outthink your big head.
No! means no!
even when her signals suggest yes.

-Haki R. Madhubuti, “On Becoming AntiRapist”

If the drum is a woman
then understand your drum
your drum is not docile
your drum is not invisible
your drum is not inferior to you
your drum is a woman
so don’t reject your drum
don’t try to dominate your drum…
if the drum is a woman
don’t abuse your drum  
don’t abuse your drum
 don’t abuse your drum

-Jayne Cortez, “If the Drum is a Woman”