Ep 36 – Who Taught You to Hate Yourself: Dieting and White Supremacy

In this episode, Amber and Erika discuss the multi-billion dollar dieting industry in America, and how it works in tandem with White Supremacy to push an image of health and wellness that often leaves Black people – particularly Black women – feeling inadequate, insecure, and unable to achieve the “ideal” of healthiness. We discuss how dieting often conflates healthiness with Eurocentric beauty standards, ignoring body diversity and promoting the cultural superiority of White bodies and food norms. Not only does the diet industry financially prey on Black people, but it also promotes and encourages self-hate and conformity with White ideals. Tune in to hear what we have to say!

Homework

  1. Read Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia
    Author: Dr. Sabrina Strings
    Date: May 2019
  2. Listen to Dr. Strings on the Body Kindness Podcast:
    Episode 1
    Episode 2

Receipts

Eight Signs of White Supremacy in HAES (Health at Every Size) and Ideas for Action
Author:  Lucy Aphramor
Date:  June 9, 2020

Yes, Diet Culture (& Fatphobia) is a Product of Racism.
Author:  Isabel Foxen Duke

White Supremacy and Diet Culture.
Author:  Karen
Date:  June 12, 2020

Why BMI is a flawed measure of body fat, explained by an eloquent 14-year-old
Author:  Julia Belluz
Date:  April 6, 2016

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