Fearing the Black Body
The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia
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Fearing the Black Body
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Narrated by:
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Allyson Johnson
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By:
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Sabrina Strings
About this listen
How the female body has been racialized for more than 200 years
There is an obesity epidemic in this country, and poor Black women are particularly stigmatized as "diseased" and a burden on the public health-care system. This is only the most recent incarnation of the fear of fat Black women, which Sabrina Strings shows took root more than 200 years ago.
Strings weaves together an eye-opening historical narrative ranging from the Renaissance to the current moment, analyzing important works of art, newspaper and magazine articles, and scientific literature and medical journals - where fat bodies were once praised - showing that fat phobia, as it relates to Black women, did not originate with medical findings, but with the Enlightenment era belief that fatness was evidence of "savagery" and racial inferiority.
The author argues that the contemporary ideal of slenderness is, at its very core, racialized and racist. Indeed, it was not until the early 20th century, when racialized attitudes against fatness were already entrenched in the culture, that the medical establishment began its crusade against obesity. An important and original work, Fearing the Black Body argues convincingly that fat phobia isn't about health at all, but rather a means of using the body to validate race, class, and gender prejudice.
©2019 New York University (P)2020 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Fearing the Black Body
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- AMA LIVE!
- 21-05-21
Essential Reading
All people need to read this. Debunks many theories. Thoroughly brilliant. Eye opening, chilling, heartbreaking and empowering.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Jansen
- 30-01-24
Great insights
Great insights and good overall narrative, with an emphasis on the US perspective. The narration was a bit wooden, unfortunately.
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- Chas
- 31-01-23
Incredible intersectional cultural critique
Impeccably researched, this book shines a light on what total bs fatphobia and our need to be thin is. It’s always been a scam predicated on racism and misogyny; used as a tool of class control and to punish Black and white women alike. 10/10 recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mere
- 06-05-24
Insightful & educational from start to finish
The whole book is so interesting and explains the obsession of “western” society with the aesthetic of the Black body and how Black people have suffered, and continue to suffer, because of this. The book should be on every school curriculum globally but especially in colonies, former colonies and the coloniser countries. Highly recommend.
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- Kindle-klant
- 11-12-21
Essential reading
The not surprising but shocking truth behind fatphobia and racism. This should be a mandatory read in schools, for mothers to be, health care workers
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Abra
- 30-08-24
Some Thoughts on "Fearing the Black Body" by Sabrina Strings
- I am impressed with the sheer number of synonyms she uses for "fat." (and even picked up some new vocabulary like "rotundus").
- After 8 hours of listening to British and French guys pontificate about fat bodies, I never want to hear their opinions on the subject again. Ever.
- With some Schadenfreude I noted that those nations who ran their mouth the dirtiest over fatness being bad are now the fattest nations on earth. The irony of setting these dumb beauty standards
It's also good to keep in mind that this is an academic book. It’s on the dry side and mostly dives into primary sources, analyzing how writers and thinkers shaped beauty standards from the 16th century onward. Strings' goal isn't to debate whether being fat is healthy but to show how attitudes towards fatness in Europe and the US evolved—shifting from admiration to fatphobia—especially as it tied in with the history of the slave trade. So if you’re looking for a book on health, this isn’t it. But if you’re interested in the historical roots of fatphobia, this is an insightful read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Olivia Woodward
- 20-08-20
Amazing book unfortunately bad narration
An incredible, well written and thoughtful book, only issue was the narration is not good! Its very unemotional and robotic, like A.I. The content its self is great so perhaps got for an old fashioned book
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1 person found this helpful
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- Emi Looker
- 11-07-20
Eye opening!
Amazing, very much needed read for every human being specially women. Very clear, and inspiring message
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- Honeyx
- 22-01-21
Unpacking the weight of white fear & self hatred
Excellently researched expose on how racism white supremacist patriarchy has used to black dehumanisation based on fear to justify their delusions of superiority
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