The Erotic Life of Racism

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By Patricia Holland ’86

Published Jan. 21, 2016

(Duke University Press) This book contends that in order to understand the everyday practice of racism, discussion must move into the territory of the erotic. Only by bringing critical race theory, queer theory, and black feminist thought together can we fully envision the relationship between racism and the personal and political dimensions of our desire. Holland is an associate professor of English, African and African American studies, and women’s studies at Duke University.

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PAW's July/August 2025 issue cover, featuring a photo of people dressed in orange and black, marching in the P-rade, and the headline: Reunions, Back in Orange & Black.
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July 2025

On the cover: Wilton Virgo ’00 and his classmates celebrate during the P-rade.