Evolution of Jezebel and Black Venus Tropes: A Historical Study

This essay provides a historical analysis of the Jezebel and Black Venus tropes, examining their origins and evolution in relation to the European perception of African women. It explores how the Jezebel trope, rooted in misunderstandings of African customs and the sexualization of Black women, was used to justify sexual assault and forced procreation. The essay then connects this to the Black Venus trope, highlighting how it was used to define and fantasize about Black women's sexuality, presenting them as sexual objects. The essay discusses the historical context, including the exhibition of Black women in cages and the impact of these tropes on Black feminism and the legal rights of Black women in both Europe and America, emphasizing the role of racial stereotypes in perpetuating oppression and discrimination.

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Evolution and Connection of the Jezebel Trope to the Black Venus Trope
Jezebel trope
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Jezebel Trope
The development of jezebel trope started when the Europeans first come across African
women. The Europeans were unaware of the African customs and therefore mistook the semi-
nudity for vulgarity. The Europeans also misunderstood the polygamy in the African culture and
associated it with uncontrolled lust. The African dress code during festivals and dances also
displayed an unchristian image, according to the Europeans. It seemed as if creating scenarios
that would attract sexual appetites. Mostly the African women dressed halfway despite wearing a
few costumes they appeared which were meant for decoration. The appearance of the black
women was so negatively perceived that the Europeans assumed that they always desired sex,
and they cannot be raped. The Europeans, therefore, legitimized sexual assault for black women
slaves. The women were considered to Jezebel's excessive sexual appetite stereotypically as men
do. The white man used the jezebel image to justify that the black women deserved forced
procreation. The white men used the same image as a legal defense for men who raped African-
American women. Black women had no legal option when white men raped them. They were as
well reluctant to report sexual oppression by black men. The reason is that they feared the black
man might be punished through lynching.
Black Venus trope is associated with Jezebel trope in that the title is used to relate black
women with sexual savagery. Black Venus is a name used to define and fantasize about black
feminists and sexuality. Black Venus is used to describing the inferiority nature of black women,
presenting them as sexual objects. The white man used the name to represent the negative impact
that black feminism is left in black women. In other words, it was like demonizing the existence

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of black woman sexuality comparing to the name white Venus that was used to describe white
Venus. White Venus signified beauty and putting the point across those white women are
desirable. When the black women were given this title based on the white man's perception of
their feminism, the intention was to subordinate them into sex slaves. A description is given of a
woman who was exhibited by an animal trainer in Paris and London. The event took place
between 1810 to 1815, and it began when she was only 19 years old. She was exhibited in a cage
clothe with a seminude costume. Her situation described the racial inferiority that the black race
was experiencing. It was a torture to both men and women. Unfortunately, the black men were
not in a position to defend their female counterparts. Black feminism, as a result, was associated
with prostitution. The mistreatment the black women were facing Europe was also happening in
American. It is in America that it was referred to as Jezebel. Black people were also regarded as
slaves in America, and they were affected by discrimination and sexual harassment. Black men
could not defend their female colleagues as well. The black race had no power to protect their
own, and they submitted to worst of orders else they would suffer torture. The evil desires of the
Europeans and the Americans found their habitation in the black race. It was in the light that the
two superior groups had no good intentions of the black people and especially women.