White vs. Black: How Researchers Interpret Incest

Medlba Wilson  maintains  that although opinions persist that  “sexual abuse occurs in Black communities,   she “is baffled by current research on childhood abuse that  does not contain any information on African-Americans, primarily  Black females.”  She further stated  “information and analysis about the position of the sexually abused child who is Black and female are noticeable by its absence in current research.” Moreover, Wilson writes that “studies show that while studies, reports and articles in this field have been advanced, only a minute percentage have concentrated on ethnicity and/or culture.” Based on the aforementioned data, it is only fair to state as Wilson did, that current research on childhood abuse does not contain any information on African-Americans, primarily Black females.”  If  further documentation is needed, a 1984 study on race as a factor in childhood abuse can be cited. Please note:  Since 2004,  Black women have been included in studies more often than in prior years.

Conducted by the research  team  of  Pierce and Pierce, they reported that “they found no significant attempt to examine the link between ethnicity and the sexual abuse of children. Likewise, they said, “the treatment was approached from a color blind

perspective in spite of the suggestions that people of color–specifically Blacks differ from Whites in their approach to sexuality.” 

By now it is clear that since the majority of studies and research is done by individuals of European origin, they are using the “color-blind factor,” which ignores and leaves out non-White communities. Experts maintain that generalizations can be drawn in relation to the sporadic analysis of Black incest victims in comparison to non-Blacks.  First, it is clear that the researchers are not  taking the victim’s race into account.  Moreover, a color-blind analogy only pertains to Caucasians.

A second generalization is that Europeamerican researchers who conduct the tests are clearly out of touch with minorities. As we have seen, exclusion from customary studies, reports and articles has led to the conclusion that this omission will continue, until Black researchers began the much-needed task of conducting their own studies.

In all the years of being excluded, experts contend they are surprised that more Black researchers are not at the forefront of this probe. Based on studies it is clear that researchers are using the color-blind factor. With that said, doesn’t it make sense to do research using Black researchers to get the full story on an issue of African-American origin? Why should we depend on non-Whites to conduct such a study when we are capable of doing it ourselves? As long as this attitude prevails, we will continue to take one step forward and two steps back.