*Sigh*... Glorification of the booty. The Bandunkadunk. The diaper bum.
Where did this originate from exactly? I mean, I can throw in some relevant arguments about Saartjie Baartman exhibited as some freak show as Hottentot Venus (Hottentot: derogatory term for Khoi people; Khoi: pastorialist natives of Southwest Africa) in 19th Century Europe and call it a day. I could throw in the usual go-to blame displacement and say it is ALLLLL Hip Hop's fault. But let's look at this at a different perspective. I could blame Kim Kardashian. But I wouldn't give her that much power. This was before her time and out of her control.
What qualities are associated with the booty that it is so glorified and so mainstream that women are determined to go all lengths - back alley booty injections? And why is it that so often, I’m being told that this is classified as a "black problem" not a social problem? Not a patriarchal problem?
It's a blend of things, in my eyes. It's patriarchy at its finest. It's body image, insecurity and misconceptions about a women's qualities being physical-- not intellectual, it's pop culture and Western ideologies. What a woman carries in her pants is valued at a life-threatening price than what she carries in her brain. Aside from all of the arguments we've heard before about where the fascination with a woman's body originated from, the question I'm asking is, has anything really changed? And perhaps, what are you doing to stop contributing to it?
Women ridicule each other for lacking a booty, but never for lacking education. Why? We're all worried about squats (although, it is the smarter choice) rather than getting a degree. We're investing in cement booty shots rather than our intellect? Women love to call each other all kinds of names and compare their assets and name them after fruit and vegetables to compete with each other. Then, they ridicule each other for having a disproportionate booty:legs ratio. Who the hell had time to figure out the probability?
As horrible as this bum to leg proportion looks, how do you get to this point? I doubt that this was a decision made overnight. It's the constant manipulation of the mind that bigger the booty, the better -- to both men and women. Can I get some fries with that shake? At what point do you say NO?
Men choose women based on the booty for 1) Their own satisfaction that their woman has a fine ass; 2) To show other men what they don't have; and 3) The belief that a woman with a booty is far more valuable than a woman with brains because you can immediately see the ass, you need to invest in a conversation to realize the intellect.
Patriarchal ideologies contributing to the glorification of the booty isn't irrelevant at all. This isn't a "black problem" either.
Baartmen was paraded around Europe by a Scottish man and examined by white Professors, Doctor's and onlookers. She was some amazing miraculous discovery to them. Her body, alive or deceased, was an object.
"Watch out black girl, a non-black girl is fighting for the title in a category in which you are only qualified for because you don't have the qualities to qualify for anything else"...
I questioned several people on their point of views along the journey of this piece for the blog. Yet, no one can tell me WHAT QUALITIES are associated with the booty, that it is worth your life?
It bothers me when people announce to black women out there that they need to "watch out" because non-black women are getting booties now. Oh, we've joined some club or something? But by announcing this as some sort of threat for competition, is it not implying that black women have nothing more to offer than their bodies? Like: "Watch out black girl, a non-black girl is fighting for the title in a category in which you are only qualified for because you don't have the qualities to qualify for anything else"...
Are black women known for nothing else than their asses? Are they known for nothing else than a body to be examined like the Hottentot Venus, then to transform this into some misappropriation by other races? Does this not negate hard working black women who want to be known for their success that has NOTHING to do with their measurements?...
I can be counter-argued by women who claim to have the whole package: Booty, Brains and Beauty. But answer this: What is noticed first? What has more value to them? If someone asked you what you want to change about yourself, would you choose to alter a body part or would you choose academic upgrading or a better job? Argue all you want about "I don't do it for them, I do it for me". That's some bullshit. I'll end that argument there.
Baartman was barely into her 20s when she was sold and exhibited. Women are barely in their 20s now when they're getting their booty injected with some concoction. What has changed?
"Watch out black girl, a non-black girl is fighting for the title in a category in which you are only qualified for because you don't have the qualities to qualify for anything else"...
I questioned several people on their point of views along the journey of this piece for the blog. Yet, no one can tell me WHAT QUALITIES are associated with the booty, that it is worth your life?
It bothers me when people announce to black women out there that they need to "watch out" because non-black women are getting booties now. Oh, we've joined some club or something? But by announcing this as some sort of threat for competition, is it not implying that black women have nothing more to offer than their bodies? Like: "Watch out black girl, a non-black girl is fighting for the title in a category in which you are only qualified for because you don't have the qualities to qualify for anything else"...
Are black women known for nothing else than their asses? Are they known for nothing else than a body to be examined like the Hottentot Venus, then to transform this into some misappropriation by other races? Does this not negate hard working black women who want to be known for their success that has NOTHING to do with their measurements?...
I can be counter-argued by women who claim to have the whole package: Booty, Brains and Beauty. But answer this: What is noticed first? What has more value to them? If someone asked you what you want to change about yourself, would you choose to alter a body part or would you choose academic upgrading or a better job? Argue all you want about "I don't do it for them, I do it for me". That's some bullshit. I'll end that argument there.
Baartman was barely into her 20s when she was sold and exhibited. Women are barely in their 20s now when they're getting their booty injected with some concoction. What has changed?
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