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!
Washington Square News > Undefined Section
The rebirth of the booty: America's obsession with my big black ass.
Published: Thursday, November 6, 2003
Updated: Saturday, September 6, 2008
14 comments
dan
IM GLAD TO SEE THAT BIG BOOTIES ARE FINALLY MAINSTREAM, AND NOT JUST CONFIEND TO BLACK & LATINO. MY GIRLFRIEND IS FROM NIGERIA & SHE HAS A MONSTER DONK! DEMPLES AND ALL! IN NIGERIA A BIG BOOTY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIER CULTURE.
thankssssssssssss
j lo is not black, shes peurto rican
Empowered Black Woman
I don't care about color, but the woman who wrote this article is clearly a ho. A dirty, filthy ho who uses her large posterior to get what she wants. Seriously, who is letting this crap be published? This is the stupidest thing I've ever read- and I read my autistic brother's stories about how his poop sings to him.
EUREKA
I am a well-endowed female, and I love my derriere. It makes it hard to find pants to fit my waist, but the benefits outweigh the problem. I think in most cases women are a bit too touchy these days. we read too much into what men say, meaning we give them far too much intellectual credit. They may say silly, immature things about women's bodies, but they mean well. If they didn't notice us, ethnic women, at all, then we would be complaining about that. Relax, relate, release meanining if they something disrespectful tell them. Explain that they should just say you look nice if they are trying to compliment you. SOME HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED HOW TO ADDRRESS A WOMAN.
kelley
Since the topic is black sexuality and being a "victim" of sexual discrimination, I have a question:I'm tall, quite thin, white, with big boobs & butt. Why do BLACK men make sexually inappropriate comments to me on the street ALL THE TIME. Yes Amber, even when I wear turtlenecks! Men of other races probably account for 10% of all the comments I get. I think the issue is that black men are the ones obsessed with sexualizing black women's bodies, and you're projecting this onto all of "America" (in the title, by "America", you meant white people didn't you?).
cory
Lol This is not a big issue. Black women have always been known for there thick bodies and big booties! Even black women that are slim are still very curvy. I wish someone would do a topic on what men really like. Its a myth that only black men like big booties. I think all men like a women any women with a big round juicy rump. Last summer I went to jamaica and was amazed at the size of those womens behind!! This one young lady had to be 38-26-60. I love black women!!!!!
The Reason Why Newspapers Are Closign Down
This is an example of an excellent topic with horrible execution. The article jumps around so much throwing about several ideas without making a point and sending mixed messages. I'm not quite sure where the author was going and in the end she didn't get anywhere.If you are going to write about a challenging topic (since many people wouldn't take it seriously) make sure to do it well. How about this for your next article:"The rebirth of real journalism: American Journalism's obsession with attention grabbing headlines and poor content"
Ray
This article sound a little tired in its outrage. We know black people have been exploited for a variety of reasons. However to single out the objectification of black women with African physical attributes is a social cheap shot for a 21st century commentator. Lest we forget, the objectification of women was prevalent before and after slaves arrived in Colonial America. White women were trafficked as slaves from Eastern Europe throughout the Arab world, many white Europeans came to American in a condition of indentured servitude (we don't learn that in school) and used sexually, the Germans actually went as far as to set up breeding pens for SS storm troopers during WWII stocked by women who were made up of "good Aryan stock." The experience of African/Black women in America with exploitation is regrettable and morally wrong, but is not unique. Pieces like these single out one group's victimization without any context. Which makes the piece seem a little intellectually dishonest.
Alyssa
These comment about being "proud" and "flattered" when people say things to you on the street disgust me. All of these comments here are just validating the idea that one feels beautiful simply because some man on the street singles you out and says something disgusting to you. Personally, I am sick of ALL types of men thinking it is OK to comment about my body as I walk down the street or make an obvious point of checking me out. This type of attention is offensive and harassing, not flattering. It has nothing to do with MY body, just them trying to seem like bigger men...
thediva
I love my booty. I like having "a little sumthin, sumthin" back there. Proud as hell. It's not a crazy big shelf type booty, but it enough for the brothers to be pleased with. I thank my grandmama for that! It's a blessing!
steph
I think that having a big ass its nice for those that like it, but to get atencion you dont have to have a big but i am a slim dominican i know i look gooddbecause when i walk down the street i get attencion.not only that i know that some girls feel that just because other girls have a bigger but that they look better then them hell!! no big ass are just nice to look at am not gonna front and am a girl,but the good thing is that we knoe is that theyre nice but are horibble in bed thats what i heard from alot of guys. am just saying lol.
Dick
Master speller and master misogynist.
Your name
Richard
Your name
Damn,let's admit it.Most Black women were born with big butts and just gotta dealwith it.I'm a Black man and trust me,living in Harlem NYC when walking the streets of 125st on a summer day,most women who wears booty shorts,tight dresses that shows off their figure are looked at.Trust me the majority are Black women so there it is.But some should not be ashamed because at least you are getting attention.When I used to live in Georgia , I dated a Southern woman and she had a humugous booty.Guys would turn their heads when we walk the streets but can't blame them.So I know trust me.
