Week 10 : Framing Sexual Citizenship: Reconsidering the Discourse on African American Families

Intersection of race, sexuality, family, and civil rights
Concept of sexual citizenship and its implications for African American families

Testimony of Joe Kirk before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1960 illustrates the interplay of race, family background, and voting rights in the United States.
Citizenship rights can be influenced by race, sexuality, gender, nativity, and family status.
Laws historically favored specific rights based on skin color and gender—important considerations for equality.

Definition of Sexual Citizenship:
- The ability for adults to organize their sexual lives and households freely.
- Rights to engage in consensual relations without state sanction (marriage license).
- Includes responsibilities for safe and consensual sexual activity and implications for child rearing.
Respects privacy and recognizes adult choices in sexual relations and family structures.

Sexual behavior historically judged, with racial implications; individuals categorized based on reproductive choices.
Example: Joe Kirk disfranchised under a Louisiana law barring citizens of "bad character" due to participation in common-law marriage or illegitimate children.

T. H. Marshall's analysis of citizenship is foundational:
- Distinction of civil, political, and social rights emerging over time.
- Civil rights (liberty of the person, freedom of speech) established first.
- Political rights expanded in the 18th century with various suffrage acts.
- Social rights gained in the 20th century involve social welfare benefits and just living conditions.
African Americans experience a condensed timeline of rights acquisition post-1964, with rapid changes threatening the status quo.
Historically, citizenship issues concerning African Americans emphasized civil and political rights without adequately addressing personal/family matters.

Early scholars and leaders typically did not challenge the European-derived nuclear family ideal.
The family is viewed as a basic societal unit affecting political status or citizenship.
Feminist critiques of Marshall's citizenship model show the private sphere does not support women's rights effectively.
Historical context of sexual exploitation: enslaved women lacked bodily autonomy and rights over reproduction.

Male-centric welfare systems rewarded male citizens while women faced restrictions and scrutiny causing economic despondency.
Policies did not adequately support women, especially mothers leading single-parent households under the stigma of being "female-headed".
Privileges associated with male citizens should not restrict welfare provisions from female citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities.

Current policies regarding sexual education focus on abstinence-only programs rather than comprehensive sex education, often sweeping women's rights concerns under the rug.
The policy positions often deny unmarried individuals their rights to sexual agency, resulting in punitive measures against those outside of society's normative structures.

Understanding sexual citizenship is vital for recognizing the barriers faced by African Americans regarding their full civil rights.
Overall, African American historical narratives reveal intertwined experiences of civil rights, social behavior, and activism reflecting complex layers beyond mere race or gender.
More nuanced perspectives on African American families are required to acknowledge the diversity of household structures and to construct a richer narrative of citizenship leading towards equality.