Introduction to Body Language

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What was the author's initial fascination that led to the creation of this book?

fascination with the black body

In what way did the author's awareness of her blackness change after emigrating to America?

she became keenly aware of her blackness nearly every second of every day

What habit did the author develop after moving to America?

counting black bodies

What did the author see when she looked at a black body as a child?

herself Signup and view all the answers

What is the black body mythologized as?

racialized, fetishized, romanticized, demonized, infantilized, criminalized, dehumanized, sexualized, criticized, ostracized, ritualized, and prized Signup and view all the answers

How did the white girls at the narrator's school react to black girls' bodies?

sneered or scrunch their noses disapprovingly Signup and view all the answers

What classic song did the black girls at the narrator's school dance to, despite the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

"Da Butt" by Experience Unlimited Signup and view all the answers

What did the black girls pretend when faced with disapproval of their bodies?

They pretended they weren't bothered Signup and view all the answers

Who became the ultimate icon of racial inferiority due to her physical features?

Saartjie Baartman Signup and view all the answers

What did the British Marine Sergeant William Dunlop fail to tell Saartjie Baartman when he persuaded her to go with him to England?

She would earn a fortune with her body Signup and view all the answers

How did the author's awareness of her blackness change after emigrating to America?

The author became keenly aware of her blackness nearly every second of every day in America, unlike in Ghana where she was not aware of it. Signup and view all the answers

What did the author see when she looked at a black body as a child?

The author saw an assurance that she would not disappear, and that the sea of whiteness into which she had been submerged would not swallow her. Signup and view all the answers

What habit did the author develop after moving to America?

The author got into the habit of counting black bodies in classrooms, on buses, at parks and beaches, wherever two or more were gathered. Signup and view all the answers

What classic song did the black girls at the narrator's school dance to, despite the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

The black girls at the narrator's school danced to 'Ebony and Ivory' by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Signup and view all the answers

How was the black body 'ized' in the text?

The black body was racialized, fetishized, romanticized, demonized, infantilized, criminalized, dehumanized, sexualized, criticized, ostracized, and prized. Signup and view all the answers

What did the white girls at the narrator's school disapprove of in black girls' bodies?

The white girls disapproved of the plump lips, flat and broad noses, and big butts in black girls' bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason Saartjie Baartman became the ultimate icon of racial inferiority?

Saartjie Baartman became the ultimate icon of racial inferiority because she had a big butt. Signup and view all the answers

What was the author's observation about the pride celebrated by black people in relation to their bodies?

The pride celebrated by black people often didn't go below the surface, and those who didn't fit into society's standard of beauty felt the sting of exclusion and inferiority. Signup and view all the answers

What did the British Marine Sergeant William Dunlop fail to tell Saartjie Baartman when he persuaded her to go with him to England?

William Dunlop failed to tell Saartjie Baartman that she would earn a fortune with her body when he persuaded her to go with him to England. Signup and view all the answers

How did the black girls at the narrator's school respond to the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

The black girls pretended they weren't bothered and promenaded around the hallways, shaking their butts to the rhythm of Experience Unlimited's go-go classic, 'Da Butt.' Signup and view all the answers

Introduction to Body Language

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Questions and Answers

What was the author's initial fascination that led to the creation of this book?

In what way did the author's awareness of her blackness change after emigrating to America?

What habit did the author develop after moving to America?

What did the author see when she looked at a black body as a child?

What is the black body mythologized as?

How did the white girls at the narrator's school react to black girls' bodies?

What classic song did the black girls at the narrator's school dance to, despite the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

What did the black girls pretend when faced with disapproval of their bodies?

Who became the ultimate icon of racial inferiority due to her physical features?

What did the British Marine Sergeant William Dunlop fail to tell Saartjie Baartman when he persuaded her to go with him to England?

How did the author's awareness of her blackness change after emigrating to America?

What did the author see when she looked at a black body as a child?

What habit did the author develop after moving to America?

What classic song did the black girls at the narrator's school dance to, despite the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

How was the black body 'ized' in the text?

What did the white girls at the narrator's school disapprove of in black girls' bodies?

What was the reason Saartjie Baartman became the ultimate icon of racial inferiority?

What was the author's observation about the pride celebrated by black people in relation to their bodies?

What did the British Marine Sergeant William Dunlop fail to tell Saartjie Baartman when he persuaded her to go with him to England?

How did the black girls at the narrator's school respond to the disapproval of their bodies by some of their white counterparts?

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