Ever since Kim Kardashian graced us with her presence on the media, the then merely socialite became an instant mega celebrity for reasons we are not too sure of. As Barbara Walter suggests during an interview for 2011's top 10 fascinating people
However there was something about the now Kim Kardashian West that strike media in believing that she deserves to be an 'it girl' amongst the 'talented' (And yes, in case you did not know celebrities are determined by the media). It was then obvious to identify that the big buzz around Kim was her bulbous derrière as showcased in mass media outlets.
My goal here is not to debate on whether her buttocks are fake or not, on the contrary I want to pinpoint at how her buttocks made a magazine's COVER PAGE! Is it really that captivating to have big bums? Why is big booties newsworthy in the tabloid industry?
Which brings us to our topic; why is protuberant buttocks seen as unusual and unfortunately leading to slut shaming???
Currently in the post-modern era we are characterized as individuals possessing knowingness and cynicism from society's ideological notions. Subsequently, the 'ideal' size 0 body type has distorted over the years, placing emphasis on the hourglass figure that is big boobs and big buttocks. Celebrities themselves have idolized this body type causing uproars from the public. The common stigma placed on having these ovoid body parts have inculcated in society's repertoire and further stress on the butt dance known as twerking as a disgrace to woman pride. A well known example of this common practice is evident through pop music sensation Nicki Minaj who is well known for her bulbous doubles and her hit song Anaconda which gained immense backlash for
A. idolizing women with big butts by showing off hers
B. twerking
These women embrace body types beyond the slender. The Anaconda video is not about freeing women from the oppressed beliefs of the ideal skinny type, it is to empower women by celebrating the figure that was once ridiculed and devalued through the late Saartjie Baartman. Saartjie (Sara) also known by her stage name Venus Hottentot was sold by two English men in 1810 from South Africa, where she was exhibited for having unusual big buttocks, big boobs and large genitalia. Europeans would stare with disgust and laugh at her body for being different from theirs. She was displayed in chains whereby people did whatever pleased them by grabbing, touching and pinching her body for reassurance that it was real.
Currently in the post-modern era we are characterized as individuals possessing knowingness and cynicism from society's ideological notions. Subsequently, the 'ideal' size 0 body type has distorted over the years, placing emphasis on the hourglass figure that is big boobs and big buttocks. Celebrities themselves have idolized this body type causing uproars from the public. The common stigma placed on having these ovoid body parts have inculcated in society's repertoire and further stress on the butt dance known as twerking as a disgrace to woman pride. A well known example of this common practice is evident through pop music sensation Nicki Minaj who is well known for her bulbous doubles and her hit song Anaconda which gained immense backlash for
A. idolizing women with big butts by showing off hers
B. twerking
These women embrace body types beyond the slender. The Anaconda video is not about freeing women from the oppressed beliefs of the ideal skinny type, it is to empower women by celebrating the figure that was once ridiculed and devalued through the late Saartjie Baartman. Saartjie (Sara) also known by her stage name Venus Hottentot was sold by two English men in 1810 from South Africa, where she was exhibited for having unusual big buttocks, big boobs and large genitalia. Europeans would stare with disgust and laugh at her body for being different from theirs. She was displayed in chains whereby people did whatever pleased them by grabbing, touching and pinching her body for reassurance that it was real.
Scene from movie 'Saartjie Baartman Story'. Viewer discretion is advised.
So how is our behaviour TODAY towards this body type different from them, the white colonisers??? The past surely lives on in making us believe that we have the right to comment or project this body type as merely sexual objects.
Even the most popular butt song had been misinterpreted, Baby Got Back by Sir Mix A Lot! In the beginning of the video, one of the girl comments
Oh my God Becky look at her butt. It is so big. She looks like one of these rap guy's girlfriends. Who understands those rap guys. They only talk to her because she looks like a total prostitute, OK!! I mean her butt is just so big. I can't believe it's so round, it's like out there. Gross! Look! She's just so black.So notice the girls' skin color and think about the English colonisers. Duh! Sir Mix A Lot was dedicating this song to all the Saartjie Baartman that were made fun of and exploited as merely sexual beings. And yes, society did limit this piece to a booty popping and anal sex inspired song.
Which leads to the infamous dance move known as 'twerk', the butt shaking frolic communally regarded as soft porn. Aside to standing naked, the Venus Hottentot show required her to further amuse her white European audience for her master's financial benefit. She did so through her tribe's traditional dance which amazed her spectators as they have never seen such moves before.
Scene The Savage Dance of Africa - Saartjie Baartman Story
Booty shaking just like any dance moves have its own origin and this was perceived by the English showman as the "savage" dance of Africa. Hmm, I wonder who are the pillars in making today's society perceive twerking as scandalous and shameful !!
Nevertheless we have inculcated much of the colonisers attitude in today's contemporary society. When it comes to slut shaming a particular figure or activity, it is not the will of women rights or freedom from the oppression, it's about empowering a devalued culture endured by Saartjie Baartman.
We are all human, the size of your butt should not matter and definitely does not make one a slut for twerking. However it does and I think you now know why!
We are all human, the size of your butt should not matter and definitely does not make one a slut for twerking. However it does and I think you now know why!
