The rebirth of the booty: America's obsession with my big black ass.
Amber Williams
Issue date: 11/6/03 Section: Undefined Section
America has always been obsessed and fascinated with the unknown. At many times in history, the enthrallment of the unknown has led to the objectification of that which is in question. The black female body has been a thing of allure and mystery throughout history.
The love of big butts can be seen as positive because of the healthy body image it promotes - no more are the days of the anorexic-looking woman. Today's men want a little meat on their women... well, at least a little junk in the trunk.
Black women have been objectified as sex objects ever since their voluptuous bodies were seen as a welcome change to the bony figures of European women to whom the male settlers were accustomed. When African women arrived in America via a "free cruise" through the middle passage with their large posteriors, it was assumed that they were sex-craving, savage beasts. The view of black women as sexual predators is still seen today in both the entertainment industry and society at large
In 1810, Sarah Bartmann, "The Hottentot Venus," was forced to parade her naked body around at high-society functions to entertain European audiences with her distinctive buttocks and genitalia. Instead of being seen as a person, she was objectified by her blackness - an objectification that still exists today. Why is that black women's bodies are seen merely as sex objects and nothing more? In Africa, a large posterior is a sign of fertility and healthiness. In black America, having a big butt is still seen as beautiful, but only because it is seen as a sign that a woman is sexually provocative.
Many famous black women have become famous strictly because of their bodies, as if it were impossible for them to rely solely on their voices and talents. Celebrities like Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Beyonce Knowles and even Josephine Baker have used their bodies to further their singing careers. I wonder how far any of these women would have gotten if they had worn turtle necks and jeans and all black like Mariah Carey did when she first came out.
J. Lo is a perfect example. (We all know she can't sing, but she was good in "Selena.") I know everyone has been waiting for it, and no article on butts would be complete without mentioning hers. J. Lo's ass has become the standard by which all others are judged. One question emerges: How is it that black women have been stereotyped for so long, only to be pushed to the back burner as someone else's rump takes the spotlight? (We must not forget that J. Lo, no matter how hard she tries, is still seen as the "other" (non-white) by white America.) Jennifer Lopez made the ass exotic. Because it was not a black woman's derrière (read: oppressed, threatening, sex-driven), it became wanted, envied by white America and a new wonder for the general audience to behold.
In rap music videos, which have become increasingly popular among all groups and races, the stereotypical, sex-crazed sister is an all-too-familiar persona. Every woman with a big butt is either a gold digger or a whore.
I can remember walking down the halls of my middle school only to hear, "You got a big ass," or, "You got a fat ass." Granted, the second speaker could have meant "phat," but either way, I didn't like it one bit. I would turn and give the boys dirty looks and think to myself, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" "Damn, why don't you just tell me I'm fat?"
Eating disorders are becoming more common in the black community. Not all women want the big butt that God has blessed them with. Myself, I could never have an eating disorder, but I have often looked in the mirror and imagined what I would look like without my monstrous thighs and protruding posterior. Sometimes having a big butt just proves to be more trouble than it's worth. I can understand why some girls would rather not deal with all of the negative attention that comes with having junk in the trunk.
But there is nothing wrong with having a big butt, big lips, big hips, big thighs and big everything else as long as you're happy with you. Don't let the fads of others dictate the way you see yourself. Just because the stereotypical black woman has a big butt and supposedly loose morals, that doesn't mean that we should act in a way that would give credit to such incorrect assumptions. When America decides that having a big butt is no longer fashionable, we black women have to remember that we are always in fashion. From the great words of Sir Mix A Lot, "I like big butts and I can not lie," and as the saying goes, if you've got it, flaunt it!
The love of big butts can be seen as positive because of the healthy body image it promotes - no more are the days of the anorexic-looking woman. Today's men want a little meat on their women... well, at least a little junk in the trunk.
Black women have been objectified as sex objects ever since their voluptuous bodies were seen as a welcome change to the bony figures of European women to whom the male settlers were accustomed. When African women arrived in America via a "free cruise" through the middle passage with their large posteriors, it was assumed that they were sex-craving, savage beasts. The view of black women as sexual predators is still seen today in both the entertainment industry and society at large
In 1810, Sarah Bartmann, "The Hottentot Venus," was forced to parade her naked body around at high-society functions to entertain European audiences with her distinctive buttocks and genitalia. Instead of being seen as a person, she was objectified by her blackness - an objectification that still exists today. Why is that black women's bodies are seen merely as sex objects and nothing more? In Africa, a large posterior is a sign of fertility and healthiness. In black America, having a big butt is still seen as beautiful, but only because it is seen as a sign that a woman is sexually provocative.
Many famous black women have become famous strictly because of their bodies, as if it were impossible for them to rely solely on their voices and talents. Celebrities like Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Beyonce Knowles and even Josephine Baker have used their bodies to further their singing careers. I wonder how far any of these women would have gotten if they had worn turtle necks and jeans and all black like Mariah Carey did when she first came out.
J. Lo is a perfect example. (We all know she can't sing, but she was good in "Selena.") I know everyone has been waiting for it, and no article on butts would be complete without mentioning hers. J. Lo's ass has become the standard by which all others are judged. One question emerges: How is it that black women have been stereotyped for so long, only to be pushed to the back burner as someone else's rump takes the spotlight? (We must not forget that J. Lo, no matter how hard she tries, is still seen as the "other" (non-white) by white America.) Jennifer Lopez made the ass exotic. Because it was not a black woman's derrière (read: oppressed, threatening, sex-driven), it became wanted, envied by white America and a new wonder for the general audience to behold.
In rap music videos, which have become increasingly popular among all groups and races, the stereotypical, sex-crazed sister is an all-too-familiar persona. Every woman with a big butt is either a gold digger or a whore.
I can remember walking down the halls of my middle school only to hear, "You got a big ass," or, "You got a fat ass." Granted, the second speaker could have meant "phat," but either way, I didn't like it one bit. I would turn and give the boys dirty looks and think to myself, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" "Damn, why don't you just tell me I'm fat?"
Eating disorders are becoming more common in the black community. Not all women want the big butt that God has blessed them with. Myself, I could never have an eating disorder, but I have often looked in the mirror and imagined what I would look like without my monstrous thighs and protruding posterior. Sometimes having a big butt just proves to be more trouble than it's worth. I can understand why some girls would rather not deal with all of the negative attention that comes with having junk in the trunk.
But there is nothing wrong with having a big butt, big lips, big hips, big thighs and big everything else as long as you're happy with you. Don't let the fads of others dictate the way you see yourself. Just because the stereotypical black woman has a big butt and supposedly loose morals, that doesn't mean that we should act in a way that would give credit to such incorrect assumptions. When America decides that having a big butt is no longer fashionable, we black women have to remember that we are always in fashion. From the great words of Sir Mix A Lot, "I like big butts and I can not lie," and as the saying goes, if you've got it, flaunt it!