To most, conversion therapy means psy-induced gay/lesbian "transformation" to heterosexuality. However, anyone's whose sexual position makes them an object of the psy profession's heterosexual net is also a victim of a coercive therapy. Even the most understanding therapist's effort to change someone's sexual position must end in a pressured conversion. Why? Because there can be no sexual norm, and pressuring someone into the most dominant one, no matter the results, is oppressive. There are millions of asexuals, celibates, sex abstainers; and there are rape victims, sex abuse victims, the sexually exploited--and those associated with these victims, who choose to refuse sex with others.
Antwone Fisher was subject to childhood physical and sex abuse in his foster home. These experiences shaped both his successful (determined) life, and his no sex position. The only reason Antwone is seeing a court-ordered psychiatrist is for an anger issue. Dr. Davenport quickly realizes that his new patient's fits of rage are from inherent racism. But he chooses to focus on Antwone's personal validation. Exuding empathy, he pushes family connections and heterosexuality as a means of his patient's full assimilation into society and manhood. Thus, the doctor soon becomes Antwone's benevolent father, and he warmly addresses him as "son." His ploy is all about what Antwone isn't not what he is or what his reality is.
Here's the thing: "sexaul repression" means little to Antwone before Dr. D. introduces it. His sexual abuse was by a young black woman in his foster home, which almost certainly replayed her own violations. Later, Antwone might have chosen gay, but he chose no sex. When he meets Dr. D., he's had well over a decade of directing, comprehending, living out his sexual position. He also absorbs the culture which includes Navy bars, clubs, his pals' gals and what men do in the name of sexual virility has no appeal to him. Built like a Naval Academy running back, he makes his position stand with minimal discomfort. And given all his tenacity in achieving his Navy ends, the "repression" or any other mentally ill label on him seems a hard press.
Two women complement the above scenario. Cheryl Smolley, the navy woman he goes out with, is perfectly amenable to Antwone's sexual detachment. In fact, you get the sense that she may welcome it as a relief, and accept it as a point of contact. In any case, Cheryl can be the way out of or way into Dr. D's therapeutics. But whatever her motives and pressures, during the family research trip, she appears to become more the temptress and sorceress. She even looks fuller, more adult, as if she's grown into a formulaic Hollywood role. 'You won't be normal baby until you DO IT,' she almost seems to say. Berta, Dr. D's wife, is the familiar "frigid" wife. But unlike Antwone, she resists and outlasts her husband's therapeutic maneuvering to the point that in the end she puts the full onus of change on him. Her independence, and disobedience, it turns out, stands apart from both all the key players and from the psy world's domination. (Interestingly, she sends Antwone, via her husband, a graduation gift of a Marcus Garvey book-- nudging him back to the issue of racism.)
Antwone's mother, however, doesn't so much stand apart, but is kept apart by the destructive forces of her life. Antwone's locating her represents the final critical juncture in his Dr.-mediated journey. Why he wasn't prepared for this with more understanding and curiosity about what his mother's life had been and what it would become, is hard to fathom, but when he does speak, he is more afflictive than affectionate. He pronounces all the good things about himself that we deducted and admired, but didn't want to hear from him--especially at this moment. So, from her pride and resistance, Eva May speaks not a word in their weighty encounter, nor is she present at the grand family celebration (his father's family) welcoming Antwone into the fold. Now we know why the movies is devoted to his dead father and not to his living mother. And that it's not a contradiction at all for Antwone to embrace the feast, and afterwards consummate sex with Sheryl, his therapy complete, his banner risen: "I'M NO LONGER A VIRGIN."
Antwone Fisher was subject to childhood physical and sex abuse in his foster home. These experiences shaped both his successful (determined) life, and his no sex position. The only reason Antwone is seeing a court-ordered psychiatrist is for an anger issue. Dr. Davenport quickly realizes that his new patient's fits of rage are from inherent racism. But he chooses to focus on Antwone's personal validation. Exuding empathy, he pushes family connections and heterosexuality as a means of his patient's full assimilation into society and manhood. Thus, the doctor soon becomes Antwone's benevolent father, and he warmly addresses him as "son." His ploy is all about what Antwone isn't not what he is or what his reality is.
Here's the thing: "sexaul repression" means little to Antwone before Dr. D. introduces it. His sexual abuse was by a young black woman in his foster home, which almost certainly replayed her own violations. Later, Antwone might have chosen gay, but he chose no sex. When he meets Dr. D., he's had well over a decade of directing, comprehending, living out his sexual position. He also absorbs the culture which includes Navy bars, clubs, his pals' gals and what men do in the name of sexual virility has no appeal to him. Built like a Naval Academy running back, he makes his position stand with minimal discomfort. And given all his tenacity in achieving his Navy ends, the "repression" or any other mentally ill label on him seems a hard press.
Two women complement the above scenario. Cheryl Smolley, the navy woman he goes out with, is perfectly amenable to Antwone's sexual detachment. In fact, you get the sense that she may welcome it as a relief, and accept it as a point of contact. In any case, Cheryl can be the way out of or way into Dr. D's therapeutics. But whatever her motives and pressures, during the family research trip, she appears to become more the temptress and sorceress. She even looks fuller, more adult, as if she's grown into a formulaic Hollywood role. 'You won't be normal baby until you DO IT,' she almost seems to say. Berta, Dr. D's wife, is the familiar "frigid" wife. But unlike Antwone, she resists and outlasts her husband's therapeutic maneuvering to the point that in the end she puts the full onus of change on him. Her independence, and disobedience, it turns out, stands apart from both all the key players and from the psy world's domination. (Interestingly, she sends Antwone, via her husband, a graduation gift of a Marcus Garvey book-- nudging him back to the issue of racism.)
Antwone's mother, however, doesn't so much stand apart, but is kept apart by the destructive forces of her life. Antwone's locating her represents the final critical juncture in his Dr.-mediated journey. Why he wasn't prepared for this with more understanding and curiosity about what his mother's life had been and what it would become, is hard to fathom, but when he does speak, he is more afflictive than affectionate. He pronounces all the good things about himself that we deducted and admired, but didn't want to hear from him--especially at this moment. So, from her pride and resistance, Eva May speaks not a word in their weighty encounter, nor is she present at the grand family celebration (his father's family) welcoming Antwone into the fold. Now we know why the movies is devoted to his dead father and not to his living mother. And that it's not a contradiction at all for Antwone to embrace the feast, and afterwards consummate sex with Sheryl, his therapy complete, his banner risen: "I'M NO LONGER A VIRGIN."