The “Black Sex Goddess” in the Living Room

Fuller, Jennifer

doi:10.1080/14680777.2010.535306

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In contrast Black women are also often constructed as hypersexual. The historical image of the 'Hottentot Venus' with her large buttocks is often invoked to recast big Black women as hypersexual beings (Fuller, 2011). Wekker points to crucial role of imagery from the colonial heritage in the Netherlands which constructs 'black women's sexuality as overactive, deviant, excessive, closer to nature, not in control and animal-like' (Wekker, 2006: 226).…”

Section: Body Size Social Class Race/ethnicity and Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on ‘body size’

Amsterdam

2013

European Journal of Women's Studies

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This article aims to claim 'body size' as an increasingly important axis of signification. It draws on research from various disciplines to present an exploratory overview of the different ways in which body size categorizations-being (considered) fat or slender-intersect with other axes, such as gender, race, sexuality, social class and age. The article argues that an intersectional perspective on body size adds to our understanding of the layeredness and complexity of power differentials, normativities and identity formations that co-produce inequalities. Furthermore, it attempts to show how processes of exclusion and marginalization based on body size categorizations are similar to racist, ableist and misogynist logics and practices. Hereby the article intends to demonstrate the vast (negative) impact of body size categorizations, specifically but not exclusively on the lives of those who occupy the marked position in relation to this axis: the 'fat'. It argues that an intersectional perspective helps us to see body size discrimination more clearly and can help disrupt dominant discourses about the body in order to create a truly 'healthy' environment in which bodies of all sizes, shapes, colours and abilities can be celebrated.

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Section: Body Size Social Class Race/ethnicity and Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on ‘body size’

Amsterdam

2013

European Journal of Women's Studies

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“…In order to use objectification theory as a framework for Black women, it is necessary to consider the distinctive pressures that impact Black women associated with the remnants of colonialism. For Black women, various tropes were created and used to justify ill treatment of Black women, like the stereotypical "Jezebel," which is a hypersexual, lascivious, insatiable Black woman (Fuller, 2011;Green, 1999;hooks, 1981;Jewell, 1993). The Jezebel is associated with Baartman because of the size of her buttocks, and white gaze of exaggeration of sexual promiscuity and continuous sexual presentation.…”

Section: Objectification Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

#ModernBaartmans: Black Women’s Reimagining of Saartjie Baartman

Ashley

2021

Journal of Black Studies

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The purpose of this study is to understand Black women’s recollection and representation of Saartjie Baartman in comparison to their own body image, while also aligning their interpretation of Baartman’s legacy through contemporary reflections of themselves and others. Interviews with 30 Black women in South Africa ( n = 15) and the United States ( n = 15) reveal that accurate knowledge and perceptions of Baartman’s experience varies; Baartman’s body is remembered as trope and ideal object to compare; however, Black women find resilience and positivity in Baartman’s story. These findings although some consistent with previous literature, some are inconsistent. Considering the Black women in this study did not thematically discuss experiencing dissatisfaction, self-objectification, or self-surveillance. It is important to recognize Black women’s perceptions of their bodies as resilient and positive rather than dissatisfied. This research provides important information for the furtherance of positive body image and Black women relative to the curvaceous ideal.

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“…Historically, black women have been characterized as either asexual or hypersexual. For example, black women have been imagined as the asexual ‘plump, maternal Mammy’ who cooks fried chicken and only cares for white people (Bordo, 2013: 267), or as the hyper-sexual, large-bodied ‘Hottentot Venus’ with a voluptuous buttocks (Fuller, 2011). Further, Bordo (2013) explains how class and race are conflated with beliefs that poor women, and therefore women of color, cannot get eating disorders.…”

Section: Eating Disorders and Racementioning

confidence: 99%

Race, Online Space and the Feminine: Unmapping ‘Black Girl Thinspiration’

Schott

2016

Critical Sociology

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A major component of the online pro-eating disorder culture (‘pro-ana’ and ‘pro-mia’) is what is referred to as ‘thinspiration’ or ‘thinspo’, which consists of images, slogans and videos aimed at inspiring the pursuit of extreme thinness. More recently, there is a specific kind of thinspiration, labeled online as ‘black girl thinspiration’, that seeks to inspire black women to reject fuller-figured body shapes as beautiful and responsible. Through the application of a spatial analysis, I contend that pro-eating disorder environments are spaces where women attempt to de-mark their racialized bodies through hard work, will-power and mastery over their desires. Theorizing from critical race and feminist postmodern perspectives, this article disrupts the white hegemony and privilege of the thin ideal. This disruption is achieved through unmapping how modern capitalism, sexism, and racism operate in unison to produce women who starve, purge, abuse laxatives and hate their bodies, while highlighting the tremendous violence embedded in these practices.

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The “Black Sex Goddess” in the Living Room

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on ‘body size’

Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on ‘body size’

#ModernBaartmans: Black Women’s Reimagining of Saartjie Baartman

Race, Online Space and the Feminine: Unmapping ‘Black Girl Thinspiration’

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