Territorial Acknowledgementchoa’s fourth volume explores the various sociocultural and political ways sex exists in the lives of Korean diasporic women on Turtle Island (North America) and in Korea.
Sex is an expression of life, power, and connection. Indigenous peoples have long embraced sex as sacred—woven into relationships with the land, community, and oneself. These teachings emphasized respect, reciprocity, and balance. Colonization disrupted these practices, imposing patriarchal and heteronormative ideologies that defined sex as a source of shame, control, and violence. Sex became a tool to oppress and silence Indigenous communities. In Korea, the sexual violence inflicted upon comfort women during wartime highlights how it has been used as a means of control and dehumanization. These histories speak to broader systems that have long shaped our understanding of sex. Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples resist and reclaim their ancestral knowledge, while our halmonis resist the erasure of their histories. They teach us strength and resilience. They teach us the importance of reclaiming sexual agency and justice as a means to reclaim our bodies, our stories, and our sovereignty. As we reflect on intimacy, pleasure, and connection, we must also confront the systems that perpetuate sexual violence and harm. We offer gratitude to Indigenous peoples, our halmonis, and all women who continue to fight today for their resistance, their teachings, and their tireless efforts. Their wisdom, even in the face of profound adversity, continues to guide us toward healing and justice. We honour their enduring commitment to justice for all peoples. |
