Much has been written about black men cavorting to Brazil and the Dominican Republic for sex tourism and some authors have suggested the negative impact that this has on black relationships. To me, this article provides a more interesting and global perspective on the matter and how we should not let this become the new “thing” (like “Down-Low brothers”) perceived to be the main cause of the destruction of black romantic relationships:
Modern relationships are complicated. In looking for explanations for why black men and women can’t get together, we cannot scapegoat sisters who speak Portuguese. We also can’t fall victim to the salacious stories that overstate the effects of sex tourism on African-American women in the United States. The real concern here is the poverty and desperation of our brothers and sisters in Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. [Source: TheRoot]
More to the point:
These books and articles largely miss the point. People should be free to sleep with whomever they choose. Those who are married or in relationships, have their own conscience to answer to, but that is not my business. I have heard of no case where some otherwise married man leaves his happy home for a Brazilian “girlfriend” met on the beach. The real problem with sex tourism isn’t sex at all. It’s that it exposes the glaring problem of inequality and exploitation in the global economy. We rarely hear the stories of poverty and desperation from the women who must choose sex work as a route to a better life. Even the tourists never really hear their stories because of the substantial language barriers and the true tales of poverty and inequality are too depressing for revelers on vacation.
3 responses so far ↓
1
Vee
// Jul 14, 2008 at 8:39 am
When I first saw the book in Barnes And Noble I thought it may be an interesting read. Then I read the opening stanza and thought to myself . . . this cat is just trying to sell a book. I may borrow it from the library and read it just because.
There are FAR more factors effecting black relationships in America that has nothing to do with trips to DR and Rio. For one, the roles of men and women are and have been changing in America for quite some time. Womanhood and manhood are being redefined. Women have been making more and more strides in many industries and these changes apparently are affecting relationship throughout America. Black men are not the only group of men searching for the comforts of a woman across American borders. I hear Russia is a haven for many men looking for their own young Anna Kournikova or Mari Sharapova.
2
Jarrett
// Jul 22, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Well, I am happy in a new marriage and have never heard of this kind of “threat” to black relationships.
60daystoheaven.com
3
My Captivating Capiz Blog
// Oct 6, 2008 at 11:03 am
i am brown skinned Asian and I thinks we have a lot of that in here.
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