Black women with vaginal fistula: The power to silence via internet imagery

Internet imagery is a powerful tool in which representation of people perpetuate discursive constructions that may invariably rank individuals according to race. The research informing this paper involved searching for Internet images associated with vaginal fistula and an analysis of racialisation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSocial alternatives Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 47 - 52
Main Authors McLaren, Helen Jaqueline, Gatwiri, Glory Joy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Brisbane Social Alternatives 01.01.2016
Subjects
Black people
Females
Fistula, Vesico-vaginal
Health
Health and hygiene
Human dignity
Imagery
Images, Photographic
Internet
Medical care
Medical disorders
Photography
Power
Race
Reproductive system
Silence
Social aspects
Women
Women, Black
Africa
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Summary:Internet imagery is a powerful tool in which representation of people perpetuate discursive constructions that may invariably rank individuals according to race. The research informing this paper involved searching for Internet images associated with vaginal fistula and an analysis of racialisation in representations within. The data set consisted of photo images, drawings and diagrams of vaginal fistula. Observations were that photo images were predominantly of black women and drawings and diagrams of non-black women. This asymmetrical representation of vaginal fistula, we argue, locates the deservedness, worth and concern for women according to race - Black women as curiosities, dirty and/or deviant; non-Black women as clean, with dignity and worthy. We propose that these constructions serve to silence certain women and their health issues on the basis of race.
Bibliography:Social Alternatives, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2016: 47-52
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ISSN:0155-0306
1836-6600