Author(s): Senyonga, Mary | Abstract: This study bridges scholarship on the topic of racial micro... more Author(s): Senyonga, Mary | Abstract: This study bridges scholarship on the topic of racial microaggressions and conceptions of body size in relation to gender by focusing on the lived experiences of Black fat women as they navigate academic settings. Previous literature on body size rarely accounts for how other social identities such as race, class, ability, and sexuality impact the particular manifestations of discrimination that is experienced. Further, literature on the experiences of marginalization due to body size primarily focuses on perceptions of health and beauty. Informed by Critical Race Theory, Black Feminism, and Fat Studies the narratives of three Black women who have completed their bachelor’s degree were captured through counterstorytelling, a methodology born out of Critical Race Theory to purposefully center the experiences of People of Color and directly challenge dominant and oppressive ideologies. This study presents the possibilities of how this reality repr...
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
In this article, we negotiate the tension of Lizzo’s embodiment and the work she is forced to per... more In this article, we negotiate the tension of Lizzo’s embodiment and the work she is forced to perform to appease and mollify both thin and non-Black audiences. As a Black fat rapper, singer, dancer, and performer, Lizzo at once disrupts the normative image of a performer and becomes a commodified representation of body positivity. Her self-love messaging undoubtedly touches a broad fan base who look to her for guidance and inspiration. But how is she taken up by audiences dissimilar to her? Lizzo’s body-positive politic is presented as being particularly interested in disrupting body terrorism, while some audiences perceive it as a neoliberal model of self-love, failing to challenge systems. We consider ways in which Black fat bodies are consumed and used for their utility, while broader relationships to other Black fat people remain unchanged. We map selections from Lizzo’s creative output in 2019 to demonstrate racialization and fat embodiment intertwined in her performances, leading to the necessary coalition that fat activism must adopt.
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
Author(s): Senyonga, Mary | Abstract: This study bridges scholarship on the topic of racial micro... more Author(s): Senyonga, Mary | Abstract: This study bridges scholarship on the topic of racial microaggressions and conceptions of body size in relation to gender by focusing on the lived experiences of Black fat women as they navigate academic settings. Previous literature on body size rarely accounts for how other social identities such as race, class, ability, and sexuality impact the particular manifestations of discrimination that is experienced. Further, literature on the experiences of marginalization due to body size primarily focuses on perceptions of health and beauty. Informed by Critical Race Theory, Black Feminism, and Fat Studies the narratives of three Black women who have completed their bachelor’s degree were captured through counterstorytelling, a methodology born out of Critical Race Theory to purposefully center the experiences of People of Color and directly challenge dominant and oppressive ideologies. This study presents the possibilities of how this reality repr...
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
In this article, we negotiate the tension of Lizzo’s embodiment and the work she is forced to per... more In this article, we negotiate the tension of Lizzo’s embodiment and the work she is forced to perform to appease and mollify both thin and non-Black audiences. As a Black fat rapper, singer, dancer, and performer, Lizzo at once disrupts the normative image of a performer and becomes a commodified representation of body positivity. Her self-love messaging undoubtedly touches a broad fan base who look to her for guidance and inspiration. But how is she taken up by audiences dissimilar to her? Lizzo’s body-positive politic is presented as being particularly interested in disrupting body terrorism, while some audiences perceive it as a neoliberal model of self-love, failing to challenge systems. We consider ways in which Black fat bodies are consumed and used for their utility, while broader relationships to other Black fat people remain unchanged. We map selections from Lizzo’s creative output in 2019 to demonstrate racialization and fat embodiment intertwined in her performances, leading to the necessary coalition that fat activism must adopt.
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic be... more Research concerning microaggressions is a new and developing area. The literature on the topic began in 1974 with Chester Pierce's description of 'assaults to black dignity and black hope' as persistent and increasing (Pierce, 1974). Microaggressions are verbal and nonverbal actions that convey prejudiced views to individuals based upon a marginalized group status (Sue et al., 2007). While it is
Uploads
Papers by Mary Senyonga