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I Never Knew Who Hottentot Venus Was

Wed, 04/13/2011 - 17:21
Submitted by Carlin Ross

Saartjie Baartman was a slave whose labia minora were so enlarged and stretched (and ass was so big) that she was "exhibited" at freak show attractions in 19th century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus.

When people got tired of viewing her as a spectacle, Saartjie resorted to prostitution to support herself in France.

Here's the kicker. After her death, Saartjie’s genitals were preserved and placed on display at the Paris’ Musée de l’Homme until 1974. Finally in 2002, her remains were sent back to her homeland in South Africa.

Can you imagine having your genitals put on display after your death? I googled around to find one picture of this woman - there were a few but I couldn't be sure they were authentic. 

via It's Just Sex

There's a movie out about her life - it's in French.  When I get a copy, I'll post a review:

Sex, Politics & More Sex

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I don't think you're doing

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 19:36
Tea (not verified)

I don't think you're doing Baartman justice in your description.  She was not "exhibited"; she was exhibited.  She was sold into slavery, brought to England under false pretenses.  Baartman was brutally exploited, had her body racialized and hypersexualized, and was denied any semblance of dignity or privacy.  I'm disappointed in the writer of this post - and here's the kicker, she calls herself a feminist.

Tea, I can understand your

Fri, 04/15/2011 - 14:49
Cait (not verified)

Tea, I can understand your point here in how you view the use of quotes but I would argue that the writer of this used them to emphasis the fact that she was indeed exhibited as if she were an animal or an inanimate object, not a sentient human being. I, of course do not know if this was the writer's intent as I am not the writer nor have asked her what she meant by it, but this is how I read it.

What Cait said.

Sat, 04/16/2011 - 09:55
Forseti

I understood it that way too.

Extremely Insensitive

Sun, 04/17/2011 - 20:20
michigan (not verified)

I have always been a fan of Carlin's articles but I am disgusted by this article.  This article is gross and insensitive. The author claims to be a *feminist*. 

I put quotes around

Mon, 04/18/2011 - 07:36
Carlin Ross

I put quotes around "exhibited" because I did some research before writing this piece to get my facts straight.  Talking about pop culture and talking about historical events surrounding race and gender are two very different things.  I respect history especially when the person I'm writing about is no longer on the planet. 

Some say she was a slave who was forced to take part in these exhibitions and some say she left South Africa willingly and cashed in on the freak shows.  So I put quotes around it because it's still a debated question. 

I was talking to Betty about this post and she explained how in medical journals they used to refer to long inner labia as "hottentot" labia.  Whether she was willing or unwilling, Sara Baartman shattered the myth of the perfect vulva and expanded the definition of female genitalia. 

She is a part of feminist history *bows head*

I am flattered

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 23:53
Christine at It's Just Sex (not verified)

While perusing through my Google Analytics, I noticed a link to this page. Can I just say I'm flattered you even glanced at my humble Tumblr, Carlin? You and Betty lie in my inspirational circle, and I just all around love you two and your Youtube videos. If you would like to learn more about Saartjie Baartman, I recommend The Story of V by Catherine Blackledge. Her book actually introduced me to Hottentot Venus.

I Never Knew Who Hottentot Venus Was

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 18:06
Pepper (not verified)

Coming to think about it, I'm rather thrilled about the the idea that my genitals - I'm a man and I don't think mine are very spectacular - could once be preserved for future generations to look at.
But back then, Saartjie hasn't probably been asked permission.

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