Rape and Race in Early America

The perception of rape in the early 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries was different with no

proper understanding of incidences of rape, coercive and mutual sexual desires. Men perceived

women as their tools to satisfy their sexual lusts, and that woman had no power to reject a man's

proposition of sex any time. Kings and rich men of ancient times used their political power and

financial strengths to force women into sexual acts even when they desired otherwise. The

general message in the history podcast is to bring out the relationship between sex on mutual

consent and forceful or violent relations. The general question is whether women also show their

desire for sex as men do. This is because women who behaved chastely were viewed in different

perspectives and considered sinful. However, men believed they possessed the right to sexual

interactions with any women close to them, stranger or commoner. With hundreds of case

examples from various sources as pieces of evidence, Sarah and Marissa describe multiple

incidences of sexual assault among whites and blacks1. They argue that sex and race began as

early as 17th century and proceeded to the slavery era when black men were falsely accused of

raping white women, in the 19th century, while black women raped by white men.

Even in modern time, whites still believe that black men should be held responsible for

sexual assaults and defilement cases. For example, in the film "when they see us," young black

boys between the ages 14 years to 16 years are framed for a rape case against a white lady when

in actuality they did not engage in such a molesting act2. They are put in police cells and forced

to accept or testify against each other. Another case is illustrated in the famous writing, "To Kill

a Mockingbird," describes how Tom Robinson was framed for rape, even though he was very

innocent and this story elopes around the desire to prove his innocence. This notion portrayed in
1
History Podcast, Dig. 2019. "Rape And Race In Early America". Dig: A History Podcast.
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Netflix, 2019. “When they see us.”
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these literary works that black men were sexually dangerous and more strict legal actions needed

to be enforced against them. However, Marissa still holds that the sexual threat of the black men

to white women even existed in the early centuries and still exists in the modern-days.

The primary significance of this subject is to create awareness of the correlation between

sexual and racial discrimination from the ancient perspective and the modern-day context of

black and white race-sexual relationships. The podcast outlays the need for mutual understanding

between men and women most so to the married couples on the need to have mutual consent on

sexual matters. It further exposes the misuse of power into luring or compelling women to sexual

desires, relating to the fact that women needed to protect their integrity and thus would not be in

very open when it comes to sexual feelings. Therefore, men should not compel women into

sexual activities without consent. Simultaneously, the idea of black men being more sexually

active and end up raping white women is a myth based on the fact that all men have sexual

desires; it only depends on how they take control of their emotions.

The podcast depicts the epitome of a protective female in a male-dominated world.

Women rarely display sexual desires while men are sexually provocative and always have high

affinity to sexual feelings. Another lesson is that the black racial origin is associated with evil

doings and at the same time, they are deemed inferior to the whites and therefore should not have

power over whites. In short, racism has existed for over the years and seemingly, will still exist

into the unforeseeable future if no action is taken to curb such discriminations. Thirdly, is about

the misuse of political and monarchial power to satisfy sexual desires for men, such that, men in

power would use their privileges to molest and defile women knowing they have an upper hand

of the law3. Lastly, there is a need for justice in the judicial systems, and convictions should be

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History Podcast, Dig. 2019. "Rape And Race In Early America". Dig: A History Podcast.
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made out of substantial pieces of evidence. For example, the 1819 conviction of a slave accused

to have raped Elizabeth Smith in Virginia was convicted even after Elizabeth Smith testified that

she was sexually abused, but there was no penetration4. This shows how the judicial

administration is biased based on gender discrimination. Prejudice is made that men use

masculinity to defile the weak women and such cases are typically predetermined.

The general setting of the podcast was right and the issues aired are grouped as grave and

conceptual matters that need massive awareness. It outlined several occasions of sexual

harassment and how the scenarios occurred, what were the causes of the happenings and why I

ought not to happen in modern contextual reasoning. Sexual harassment and racial

discrimination have been issues to deal with keenly because they have existed for over the years,

the participants relating to the 1700s. For instance, Byrd recorded his sexual defilement scenes

that acted as references to the researches to ascertain the act of sexual harassment by those in

power. However, the podcast failed to air possible remedies to these problems that are still

occurring in modern time. It ought to outline concrete recommendations to help in curbing

sexual and racial discrimination after acknowledging their existence from ancient times.

The podcast is relevant to the coursework in that it provides a historical background of

the current problems faced in the modern world. It discusses broadly the origin and implications

of white supremacy over blacks and how false accusations based on gender are substances of

moral decadent in society. Themes of racism, sexual defilement and misuse of power are

intensively outlined. Discrimination involves the white-black disagreements because the blacks

are mostly accused and convicted falsely of crimes. Sexual defilement is outlaid where men use

more violent ways to gain sexual satisfaction instead of seeking consent from the female

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History Podcast, Dig. 2019. "Rape And Race In Early America". Dig: A History Podcast.
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counterparts and women taking advantage of this situation to put false accusations on innocent

men. And misuse of power comes when men in power take advantage of poor women for sexual

fulfilment. Therefore, policies should be enacted to curb these practices that harm the general

society.