Sencha Skeete Book Blog

I have noticed recently a number of BWWM writers of erotica and dark romance commenting about reviews they are receiving about their books. Some people are hurt and discouraged, others are defiant, but the issue is the same. For some readers, Black women don't belong in dark romances, and they especially don't belong in dark romances if the hero is not Black.   I get it. Historically, Black women have been treated very poorly in the west. We struggle under the weight of a lot of prejudices and stereotypes. We are often considered less attractive and less feminine than other women, or as hypersexual beasts who can't control ourselves. The same behaviors -- one night stands, getting swept away by lust, accidental pregnancy, submissiveness -- that is seen as mildly negative or neutral when white, Asian or Hispanic women do it, is considered differently from us. All these behaviors feed into stereotypes in some people's eyes and so our heroines must be moral, emotionally st...