Brothel And Brotherhood: Identity Politics In K. Sello Duiker

Abstract

K. Sello Duiker’s The Quiet Violence of Dreams (2001) is a seminal examination of ‘non-normative’ sexualities in the post-apartheid South Africa. The text is a complex work of fiction that seamlessly weaves together a complex range of thematic interest including questions of sexualities, madness, psychiatry, drug (ab)use, trauma, race etc. Duiker’s ability to intertwine these diverse elements within the fabric of his storytelling makes the novel a profoundly engaging and thought-provoking work. Amongst other things, Duiker’s text confronts the dynamics that is produced in the intersection of race and sexuality, unraveling the intricate web of power dynamics, historical contexts, and personal narratives. This paper is an attempt to interrogate the intersection of sexuality and race through a close study of “'brotherhood” within the narrative. Brotherhood refers to the sense of camaraderie and solidarity that emerges from shared experiences and struggles in the “massage parlour” cum “brothel” that the central protagonist Tshepo works in. Duiker's exploration of brotherhood constitutes a fair example in what Stockton describes as the "intrusion of narratives on narratives" (117). The brotherhood in Duiker is built on a series of paradox: permissive yet restricted, expansive yet confined, liberal yet narrow and accessible yet distant. This complex binaries underscores the multifaceted and often contradictory nature of human connections, particularly within the context of black men’s interaction with white people. The brotherhood embodies a sense of freedom that is paradoxically coupled with restraint, and a spirit of solidarity that coexists with prejudice. This paper posits that the foundation of the brotherhood lies deeply intertwined with intricate power dynamics, where relationships are shaped and defined by strategic maneuvers, negotiations of authority, and the constant flux of dominance and submission. This paper will use the framework provide by draw on the works of Foucault and Butler. Western models of sexual studies are valuable tools for analyzing identity formation, yet they may not fully capture the intricate complexities and subtleties specific to different contexts. In Africa, where issues of race and compulsory heterosexuality intersect and intertwine, it is essential to explore alternative frameworks that offer deeper insights and understanding. Keeping in mind context specificity, it will also draw on the works of African-American scholars such as E. Patrick Johnson, Mae G. Henderson and Devon W Carbado amongst others. This study will factor in best practices of ‘intersectionality’ research to illuminate the unique experiences of queer Africans. “Intersectionality” as a framework makes “visible the multiple positioning that constitutes everyday life and the power relations that are central to it.” (Phoenix and Pattynama, 187) This study is built on the premise that “major systems of oppression are interlocking.” (Taylor, 15)