I have a research topic! Or a research question, I guess. After thinking about my choices over and over again (because it's summer and I have nothing else to do), I've decided on the topic of "The Evolution of Black Sapphic Literature as a Rebellious Practice."
From the perspective of an avid romance reader, lesbian literature, in general, is often overlooked and underrepresented. So much sapphic literature is extremely sexual, which does have its time and place but is often used to objectify lesbians. On the other hand, in my experience, lesbian literature can have an extreme absence of sensuality. Lesbian literature that accurately represents the variety of lesbian experiences can feel like a rare gem. It feels good to read romance books that you can relate to. Finding good Black lesbian fiction in bookstores is even harder. But the deep connection that Black lesbians can make with it is of great importance. At the end of the day, the Black sapphic experience is unique. It comes with its own challenges and beauties. This is exactly why Black sapphic literature is so important.
Academic lesbian literature can feel even rarer. Although there is a long, rich history of Black lesbian literature, it can feel like climbing a mountain to find it. It's not often taught or assigned in schools. If you aren't in a program that would focus on it, you may never come across it. I guess this just points to the importance of interdisciplinary studies - to understand how identities intersect and how rich that intersection can be. I hope to continue in the footsteps of those before me and highlight this importance in my research.
I can't think of a topic more near and dear to my heart. I don't think I've ever been this excited to do research. Which is extremely shocking, considering how much I love research and creating projects. Not only is this deeply personal, but I hope to become a better academic throughout this process. A lot of times, research has just been smart googling and hoping you find something good. I'm excited to read entire books dig deep, and really do this topic justice. I have to. For myself, mostly, but also to fulfill what this topic is about: highlighting and representing Black sapphics.
