The Role of the Erotic in Black Women’s Leisure

The contention in this conceptual chapter is that leisure studies have scarcely embraced a theory of the erotic, as espoused by Black feminist writer and poet, Audre Lorde. This has led to a failure to realise its political power and liberatory potential for Black women who have traditionally been marginalised and silenced within leisure contexts. Discussions of the erotic are located within broader narratives of the role of emotions and affect in creating new social possibilities for Black women. Lorde contended that the erotic is not exclusively about sexual intimacy and pleasure but is fundamentally about intense emotional connections and feelings which many women (and especially Black women) have suppressed due to patriarchal domination. This suppression of the erotic has had deleterious effects on Black women's wellbeing and creativity. Against this background, this chapter presents a critical discussion of Lorde's conceptualisation of the erotic and how it might be applicable for leisure studies. The argument here is that in understanding leisure, it is vital for women, and especially Black women, to embrace the erotic, as a powerful political and creative force. Two exemplar walking groups for Black women – Black Girls Hike and Girls Trek – are used to illustrate these points.