I was sitting here with my big back doing some bigbacktivities [like I always do] and I was really thinking about how big back behavior is a direct result of oppression. Hear me out—because I know I’m going to hear someone say that “You guys are always trying to be victims” Nope, we are trying to be survivors, yet we are continually being victimized. As a single [not legally married] black woman who has tried for the last five years to lose weight and make healthy choices, I feel discouraged. I vehemently ignore diet culture, weight loss influencers and any fitness content because it reminds me every time how much pressure I put on myself to lose weight. In twenty nineteen, I went vegan and I lost a total of fifty-five pounds. I worked out almost every single day, sometimes even twice a day. I was deep in my weight loss bag and then we were hit with a global pandemic that left all of us feeling completely scared of what the future would look like. In the same year, I broke off an engagement from my boyfriend of two years. The years proceeding only provided more challenges—as is a symptom of young adulthood. I sat back one day and realized that I couldn’t possibly change my circumstances on my own. I got tired of the “your create your own reality” ass bitches with their toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing. They are always so delusional about the realities that people face and they only work to secretly uphold systems of oppression. There is inexplicably a connection between poverty and having a big back [it’s not the only connection but this connection can’t be ignored]. Poverty And Health Inequality in Poor Countries - With that being said let’s dig a bit deeper into some of the oppressive systems that create this health disparity:
What Is Misogynoir?
Misogynoir is a term coined by black-feminist scholar and activist Moya Bailey. The concept is grounded in Kimberlé Crenshaw 1989 sociological study that coined the term Intersectionality. Intersectionality describes how different social identities converge in a system of oppression. For example, being both queer and a Mexican woman is a form of intersectionality that would encompass queer oppression, being a woman and being a member of a immigrant community. It’s important to talk about this interconnected reality because while a Hispanic man may face discrimination and disadvantage due to his race, a Hispanic woman may face discrimination or disadvantage in a different way [ I do not want to use the term “more” as I don’t want to diminish men’s discrimination or disadvantage especially a man of color].
The Concept of Intersectionality
I think at this point we can save the history lessons. We all know by now that slavery is an integral part of this country and the reason why it exist today. We also know that as a result of slavery and white supremacy, we experienced segregation and now experience discrimination. If you are still oblivious at this point, you are being willfully ignorant. Intersectionality’s goal is to analysis how people’s different social, racial [and even political or religious identities] intersect to create a unique kind of discrimination. (The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theory ) - This concept also applies to privilege and empowerment. A skinny white woman from a middle class family whose conventionally attractive may have a certain level of privilege because of her intersecting racial and social identities [ex. Paris Hilton]. Now please understand this is qualitative and not quantitative—that very white women can feel like she does not have privilege. (Intersectionality Research) —So to sum this all up, Black women experience unique oppression due to their intersecting identities of being a woman and being black. This oppression may worsen if the black woman identifies as queer, is disabled or does not perform respectability politics.
Misogynoir Is Profitable
One of the reasons we have such an issue with misogynoir is because it’s profitable —even for black women. Two examples, I will talk about today will fall on the opposite ends of the scale. I wanted to first highlight how there has been a growing trend of black men creators [mostly queer but not all] dressing up as black women caricatures for entertainment. While no matter how accurate and funny it is, it’s damaging as it reinforces harmful stereotypes. It also allows others to profit from black women’s image and likeness no matter how derogatory it maybe. The same can also be said for black women creators as well. Black women have to either sexually exploit themselves, be a caricature or play a ridiculous stereotype to garner attention. [Note I don’t believe in respectability politics, I do feel that black women should be able to express their sexuality and sensuality as they please. I will point out though that black women and men’s sexuality has been seen as a commodity to white people, therefore there are implications when that sexuality is expressed. The implications are unfair but it’s reality. This is personally why for years I was conflicted about showing my body because it seems to attract fetishization from white men]. So yes, you heard it here folks, hating black women and even praising black women is a profitable business. Mention black women anywhere and you will get a viral moment.
The Medical Disparity And Black Bodies
Whew, how do I even start this section? Should I tell a personal story? Should I tell other black women’s stories? I have personally encountered many barriers to health as a black woman. At times it feels as if I wasn’t born black I would have a better chance at living. There were at least two occasions where at my primary care doctors office I had my white, male doctor come into my appointment and talk about other patients. Now he didn’t describe them in detail but he used this as an excuse for why he was always behind or making me wait. It got to the point where we are at the end of the visit and we haven’t discussed any of my concerns or discussed a proper treatment plan for me. While I am an empathic and compassionate individual, this behavior is unacceptable. Now you might be thinking this is not in anyway related to my race or this is not overt racism —maybe he is just an overworked doctor but I want to provide some facts about the very big medical disparity for black women. According to a Boston University Study Racism, Sexism and The Crisis of Black Women’s Health it points to the fact that “despite their disproportionate health burdens, Black women historically have largely been excluded from clinical research, which has focused primarily on white males.” and it futher postulates “one observation is becoming increasingly clear: racism and other stressors may be much stronger predictors of poor health than individual choices or genetic differences. The psychological trauma of racial discrimination may increase cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) and weaken the immune system, potentially leading to elevated blood pressure, memory problems, and other conditions.” Lastly I would like to point out that this article readily provides this assertion “black women are more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to die from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, lupus, and several cancers. They are twice as likely than white women to develop diabetes over age 55 or have uncontrolled blood pressure. Black women also face greater challenges in accessing affordable and quality healthcare, including a lack of health insurance, higher medical debt, and longer travel times to hospitals”. I mean I can end the article right there—but I won’t.
Now, I do want to point out that I need to get off my big back and start working out again! Exercise is a great coping mechanism and it’s essential to an individuals overall health. The important thing to stress here though is that weight is not a correct determination of overall health. You are not a fucking doctor, so stop telling plus size women what their health status is. I don’t want to hear any more shit about “I’m just looking out for your health” unless you are actively and openly talking about the obvious medical disparity within the healthcare system and the barriers that keep people from getting proper nutrition.
Why Should You Care?
Do you have black women who you consider close friends? Do you have a crush on a black woman? Are you dating or married to a black woman? Do you enjoy unambiguous black women’s music like Azealia Banks, Ari Lennox or SZA? Do you follow or support black women on social media? Do you enjoy black women’s content? Do you have black relatives or black in-laws? Do you have black neighbors? Do you have black co-workers or black employees? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you can’t sit by and be unaffected by the things that we see happening to our friends, our favorite artist or our neighbors. Not speaking up is being complicit with oppression, I SAID WHAT I SAID.
Black Women are not the only ones who struggle to lose weight under a racist and predatory health care system. It maybe true that if you are not a white male, your concerns may not be prioritized.
According to the CDC, non-Hispanic black adults and Hispanic adults make up the majority of individuals targeted for unhealthy foods and higher levels of food insecurity, among other factors, leading to Obesity.
Obesity is a chronic and costly illness. You wouldn’t berate a person on the internet with cancer or a disability. Why would you do that to an obese person?
Change On The Horizon
I just want to give a shout-out to white female doctors. They came in clutch! I don’t know why but my experience with white and female doctors from nurse practitioners to psychiatrist has been great. They listen, they try to understand and they take the time to do what they can to help. It may be because we share the experience of being a woman together but either way I am thankful for the doctors that do take care of me. They make me feel seen and for that I’m grateful. Anyways, next time you see a big back think about what that person might be going through, think about what barriers they might be facing, try to have compassion or simply keep your fucking opinion to yourself! If you really want to help then provide the people in your life with compassion, empathy and support so they can feel encouraged to unbig their back themselves.
Appendix
Racism, Sexism and The crisis of Black Women's Health
—With Love, Dez 🌹
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