Body Politics

Abstract in English Do women have any language? Is the language a woman speaks is her own or imposed upon by the patriarchal society? This article explores the role language plays in demeaning women, how it is used in taking away their human dignity, constructing them as inferior, less than equal beings with little agency,

Abstract in English For Somalian women living in Norway, it can be difficult to live as freely as Norwegians can. In this article, Amal Aden describes the challenges she and other Somalian women face if they stop wearing a hijab, or if they drink or have a boyfriend. They are threatened by rumors about their

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been told “you’re pretty for a darkskin girl”.  Make no mistake, that there is no compliment in these words. As if Black beauty must be light, with green eyes and soft hair. It took me years to appreciate my skin. Sometimes, I still struggle to do so.

I was born with a rare disease called Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy. At the time of my diagnosis, I was the only one in the state of South Carolina with my disease and number ninety-six in the world to have it. My disease affects the skeletal muscles, the muscles used for movement. I’m able to walk

I learned early in life that my body is too much. Too dark. Too tall for the room. Too opinionated. Too loud. Too domineering. Too uncovered. Each time, I stubbornly confronted the norm— who gets to define what is too much, and what indeed, is the measuring scale? Of the many identities I have metamorphosed

As a Black, non-binary, trans-femme fierce entity, I often contemplate how revolutionary it is to be me. I wake up each day prepared to fight, to present my most authentic self to the world. A world that doesn’t see me even when I slay them with all my finery.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t

The concept of body politics has been traditionally and culturally practiced in our society through ages. The concept suggests how the outer appearance of an individual is policed by the ones in power based on the societal standards of what is considered acceptable. Many factors figure into the idea of the ideal body. The classification