Black Men, Sexual Tropes, Trauma and Resilience: A transnational portrait of erotic racism, sexual stereotypes and Black men’s lives

Research Invitation Letter

Resource/information guide

This qualitative study builds on the autoethnographic, historical and theoretical scholarship presented in my edited book Appealing Because He Is Appalling: Black masculinities, colonialism and erotic racism (University of Alberta Press, 2021).

This study will explore the following questions: How do sexual stereotypes about Black men impact their identities, self-concept, self-esteem, life chances and quality of life? Against the backdrop of these stereotypes, how do Black men narrate and cope with being survivors of childhood sexual abuse and coercion and manipulation as adults? What is their level of awareness and what adaptations and protective mechanisms do they employ to protect themselves from the harms of sexual stereotypes? What are the vicarious impacts for their loved ones and communities?  

This research invites Black men and their family intimates to participate in a unique research project titled “Black Men, Sexual Tropes, Trauma and Resilience: A transnational portrait of erotic racism, sexual stereotypes and Black men’s lives”. The project involves recording the stories, narratives, coping mechanisms and perspectives of Black men and their loved ones about the impact of erotic racism, sexual stereotypes (e.g., hypersexuality, priapism and propensity to rape) and sexual trauma on the self-concept, life chances, intimate lives and help-seeking and resiliency of Black men.  

I seek to interview 40 Black men inclusive of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, nationalities and countries of origin/residence about the impacts of erotic racism, sexual stereotypes and subjection to sexual trauma. 

The project is holistic: thus, I seek 10 participants who are the female relations and spouses (female and/or male) of Black men.

I can be reached at tkitossa@bocku.ca.