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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The January 2026 cover of PAW, featuring a man and a woman and the headline "Empower Couple."
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