Episode 05. Sex Ed, Public Health, and Minding Our Own Business (ft. Tanya Bass)
Racism has been firmly established by many in the discipline to be public health crisis. What our guest on this episode reminds us is that it is also a crisis in sexuality as well. In this episode, Dr. G chats with "Southern Sexologist" Tanya M. Bass, about the ways that race and racism have informed public health-based sex ed. Tanya shares her journey to sex ed through the path of public health, what it's like teaching these topics at a Historically Black College (HBCU), and how Blackfolk can best excel achieving the pleasure and freedom they so richly deserve!
(Click here to download the episode transcript.)
Episode Question to Ponder: What are you willing to do to be free?
Homework: No downloads; conduct an internet search on The Negro Project (start here to begin your reading)
Guest Bio:
Tanya M. Bass (the #SouthernSexologist™) is a national award winning sexuality educator and a subject matter expert in health equity and sexual health. She is the Founder of the North Carolina Sexual Health Conference (NCSEXCON) which draws sexual health professionals from around the state to share best practices in sexual health across the lifespan.
Tanya is the lead instructor for Human Sexuality at North Carolina Central University in the Department of Public Health Education. She is also a TedX and keynote speaker, highly-requested trainer, and facilitator. Much of her work has been in collaboration with community-based organizations, churches, academic institutions, and state and national conferences.
Tanya is an Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapist (AASECT) certified sexuality educator and a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is a past co-chair for the 2014 National Sex Ed Conference and the 2020 AASECT Conference. She serves on the editorial board for the American Journal of Sexuality Education. Tanya is completing her doctorate in Education within the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University.
More information about Tanya and her work can be found at http://www.TanyaMBass.com.
Episode References (Content):
Almanzar, B. & Pete, M. (2020). "W.A.P. (Wet Ass Pussy)". Album Name TBA. 7 August 2020. Perf. Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion. Atlantic Records, 2020. MP3.
L.J. (2004). Examining sexual health discourses in a racial/ethnic context. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33, 223-234. (Available for abstract review and purchase/download here.)
Roberts, D. (1997). Killing the black body: Race, reproduction, and the meaning of liberty. New York: Pantheon Books.
References (People):
Dr. June Dobbs Butts. (obituary)
Javontae L. Williams (academic bio)
Professor H. Sharif Williams (academic bio)
Goody Howard (bio)
Melissa Carnagey (bio)