Blog Post

 Justin Applewhite

Ms. Harris

ENGL 2016

3 December 2021

What Is the Black Gothic?

No, seriously, this was the same question that popped into my mind on the first few days of class. I never heard of this genre or cared to look it up in further detail. I believe many of us start out like that, not wanting to know the unknown and never bothering to educate ourselves about it. I will say, though, that this is a stupid mistake. Every day, we should be willing to look up things that we may not know about to better understand them. I found out pretty quickly that the Black Gothic genre is quite interesting in itself. In simple terms, the black gothic includes tropes of darkness, uneasiness, ghosts, and isolation that combine to create fear and terror. It’s even more interesting since it takes components that the south already possesses: giant trees for no reason, wide-open fields that make you itch when you walk in them, and the things we love the most, of course: sundown towns. (That was a joke, obviously) On a serious note, however, we will be educating you on today’s topic about black lesbian representation within the black gothic and the totem pole/power dynamics between black men and black within with examples provided from the excellent book The Color Purple. My name is Justin, and I will be your teacher. If you have any questions, please do not speak up. Thanks!

Doves In the Wind

There is not a whole lot of lesbian representation in the Black Gothic. One body of literature that stands out from most is the novel The Color purple. This novel, written by Alice Walker in 1982, describes the documented traumas and tribulations of an African American teenager named Celia. To sum it all up, this novel is pretty fucking horrid. It has actually been banned since 1984 for graphic sexual content, rape, abuse, and, oh yeah, much more. Despite this, it goes into great detail as she repels the toxic self-concept others try to force onto her. Also, within this particular story, we are introduced to the beautiful friendship and relationship between Shug and Celie. This relationship is monumental within the Black Gothic genre, and of course, the lovely gays. (COME ON, LESBIAN REPRESENTATION!) Not only is this a same-sex relationship between two black women, but it is also a sexual pleasure between a black woman that explored their sexuality as something positive while being separated from men. This is Celie’s first positive experience emotionally and sexually, and they go on to even form a deep and beautiful connection for the rest of their life. The triple emphasis on being a black woman but a black queer woman is unheard of in this genre. Although there is danger by being a queer black southern woman, there is also great beauty within this. 

We’re Not All In this Together-Dear Black People

One of the most significant themes in this novel would be violence and suffering from not strangers but the ones who are closest to you. Celia is repeatedly raped and abused by her so-called “Dad within the first chapters.” Through her experiences, the novel can explore the psychological and physical effects caused by these examples of violence, which opens up the door for further explanations between male and female characters. My overall message of black queer women in the Gothic: strength is found in their community and owning and embracing their identity. The women in the story realize that their fight is not just one, but them all as a collective entity... Despite them all being black, they are not here for all black people. In the novel and even today’s society, black people are not unified. The male characters in this book do and feel the need to control their women forcefully, if not emotionally. This is a tactic that alienates both genders from one another and is internalized hatred that is passed down from the slave masters. The deadly concoction of psychological abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, and trauma makes up for a disastrous dish.

A New Awakening

However, despite all of the odds going against them, there is a shining light at the end of the tunnel. I would like to end my blog post by showing just how many queer black women in the Gothic-like Celie from the book- have no voice in the world. She and many other black women were victimized so hard that they continued to endure that said abuse. Her story is an excellent parallel to many other black queer women in The Gothic. In the end, though, they manage to find their own voice. At the end of the book, Celia is finally reunited with her long-lost sister; and although she does not get her purple dress, she still gets a dress. By seeking out and making their own community, they fought to make a change and would do anything to get what they wanted. Just as how black women and even black queer women have grouped together to get the right to vote, work jobs, and other important aspects of history. As I have always said and believe to be true: Black women are the pioneers in the black community.