By Christine McFaul
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture is a new nonfiction book (published 2022) by Sherronda J. Brown, an American essayist, editor, and storyteller.
Brown begins with an introduction—to herself , to asexuality, as well as to the history and realities that underpin the topics explored throughout the book (“Asexual Realities,” “Compulsory Sexuality,” and “Savage Sexuality”).
Ten well-organized chapters follow, broken down by topic, and each introduced with the perfect quote to encapsulate the author’s point (shout-out to the beautifully chosen quotes, I am powerless to resist a great quote-game). The topics then unfold, working together to peel back inaccurate assumptions and long upheld systems that underpin much of modern society. A closer examination of topics like desire, acephobia, and even productivity provide a revealing peek behind the curtain of sexual politics.
Using a balanced mix of personal experience and research (to pick up this book is to be exposed to a plethora of brilliant writing and analysis on related topics; the footnotes alone create an excellent further-reading list), Brown centres the Black, ace (asexual) experience and in so doing introduces a rarely prioritized, but much-needed, perspective into the cultural zeitgeist. As a reader who has gotten out of the practice of more academic reading, I also want to express my appreciation for the fact that Brown did so by tempering any heavy dumps of information with strategic bolding, clear and accessible definitions of complicated terms, and the use of modern references.
At its heart, Brown’s work is concerned with the very concept of “humanness and who is allowed access to it.” In their exploration of this topic, Brown is as generous with her own lived experience as she is with their research and analysis. With what I would describe as having a readable academic feel, Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture is a well-crafted, bold, smart, and necessary read.
Note: I have written my review from the perspective of a white, cis-hetero woman. If my thoughts on Brown’s book have piqued your interest, I encourage you to check out further opinions from book reviewers with lived experience or to visit Brown’s website https://sherrondajbrown.com.
Thank you to North Atlantic Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.