Washington Post Article On Women's Body Images

[Kris 78]

There's a very interesting article in today's Washington Post regarding black women's body images compared to white women's body images.

I think the article makes some great points and I really enjoyed it. Speaking from my own experience and friendships with black and white women, I think it captures the big differences between how black women think of their bodies compared to white women. What do you think?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/black-women-heavier-and-happier-with-their-bodies-than-white-women-poll-finds/2012/02/22/gIQAPmcHeR_story.html?hpid=z5

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Great article. Thanks for sharing!

[Itsanewdaycassandra 45]

I liked the article and agree that historically we (African American women) have been flooded with images of what is considered ideal or the standard of beauty in America, such as long blond hair or having blue eyes, and few of us could relate to or achieve these standards, and so we have overtime had to establish our own standard of beauty and have embraced our features. And while there is no one standard body type for African American women, I think that on average African American women tend to be curvier, or “thicker”.

With all of this being said I do think that it is important that in today’s society that we address obesity and living at a healthy weight as a health issue and not just as a cultural standard of beauty. While African American woman embrace our curves we also need to deal with the facts that diabetes is a leading cause of death among middle-aged African-American women, and African-American women develop high blood pressure earlier in life and have higher average blood pressures compared with white women and that African American women face a higher risk for sleep apnea compared with white women. Curvy is one thing and Obesity is another. I think we all need to embrace our body types and love them pear-shaped apple-shaped whatever, and trust me I know this is easier said than done.

[takingmylifebacc 21]

Well said Itsanewcassandra!