UC Professor Hosts 'Brown Sugar' Porn Tumblr

SANTA BARBRA, Calif. — Dr. Mireille Miller-Young, UCSB assistant professor of Feminist Studies, extends her educational practices beyond the classroom with her explicit Tumblr blog Brown Sugar, a " a “race, porn and sex image collection.”

Miller-Young curates the photo blog of nude and suggestive photos of mostly black women, that include vintage photographs as well as hyper-modern depictions.

Her latest post from July 5 is a photograph of the “Ebony Venus” Joesephine Baker and “Bronze Apollo” Ballet legend Serge Lifar posing in vintage grace on Italy’s Lido Beach in the 1930s. The post includes a missive penned by Baker about the experience.

Another photo, posted June 11, shows a young black woman lying spread eagle on the couch. It’s tagged #vintagechicks and bears no caption.

The Tumblr seems a logical extension of Miller-Young’s academic endeavors: her upcoming book “A taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women Sex Work and Pornography” examines  “women’s representations, performances and labors in pornographic media from the 19th century to present.”  

The assistant professor also co-authored the “Feminist Porn Book” with fellow UCSB professors Constance Penley and Celine Parreñas Shimizu, as well as adult filmmaker Tristan Taormino, which released earlier this year. In addition to showcasing new Feminist scholarship on porn, it discusses “the emergence and significance of a thriving feminist porn movement.”     

“By putting our voices into conversation, this book sparks new thinking about the richness and complexity of porn as a genre and an industry in a way that helps us to appreciate the work that feminists in the porn industry are doing,” the introduction says.

The quartet co-published an article Sunday in Women’s News in which they argue that new and easily-accessible technologies are creating “moral panic-driven fears” about porn proliferation.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Only Tax Deductions Joins Pineapple Support as Sponsor

Adult industry accounting firm Only Tax Deductions has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Adult Empire Launches 'Conversations' Podcast Series

Adult Empire has launched a new official podcast series hosted by Nicole Chappelle and Charlie.

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Show More