Blackness, Pleasure, and Agency in Porn Studies: A Roundtable

Studies of representation, particularly pornographic representation, are often dominated by discussions of power, exploitation, and marginalization but the voices of Black scholars and sex workers are critically reshaping the discourse on sexuality and pleasure. The Blackness, Pleasure, and Agency in Porn Studies roundtable took place via Zoom in June 2024 and was recorded, transcribed, and then edited to cut digressions and repetitions for publication. Our discussion spotlighted perspectives from Black scholars in porn studies, a field where Black bodies are frequently viewed through the lens of stereotypes, but rarely given space to express joy, desire, and self-defined pleasure. While significant scholarly work has explored the politics of representation, this conversation offered an opportunity to ask: What happens when we centre Black eroticism, creativity, and agency?

A Conversation with K Anderson, Mark Ray Lockwood, Jr, Amber Jamilla Musser, and Jesus G Smith

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