Confronting Body Shaming and Body Dysmorphia Among Black Women

Black women are a mosaic of beauty—our skin tones span the spectrum of rich hues, our lips tell stories of resilience, and our curves are a testament to divine artistry. Yet, for so many of us, embracing our beauty feels like an uphill battle.

Why? Because we’re navigating a world that both fetishizes and devalues us. Our features—thick lips, voluptuous bodies, dark skin—are admired and appropriated by others, yet we’re told they don’t meet the rigid, Eurocentric standards of beauty. This impossible paradox leaves many Black women struggling with body dysmorphia and body shaming, compounded by systemic challenges and cultural expectations.

Let’s unpack these layers and, most importantly, explore how we can begin to embrace our beauty while lifting up our sisters.

The Catch-22 of Black Beauty

Black women exist in a double bind. On one hand, our features are commodified and celebrated when others adopt them—thick lips, curvy figures, and deep melanin are hailed as exotic and trendy. On the other, we are judged harshly for those same features.

The standards of beauty we’re expected to meet are often impossible to attain, and the mental toll can be overwhelming. For many, the weight of trying to fit in—or even trying to stand out—leads to anxiety, stress, and feelings of inadequacy.

Weight and Wellness: More Than Meets the Eye

Black women often struggle with weight for reasons far beyond personal choice or discipline. The systemic inequities we face in our daily lives play a huge role:

• Food Deserts: Many Black communities lack access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious foods, making it harder to maintain a balanced diet.
• Stress Eating: Being the “strong friend” or the “Chief Everything Officer” of everyone’s lives often means we neglect ourselves. Mindless eating becomes a coping mechanism for stress and burnout.
• Healthcare Disparities: Black women are frequently misdiagnosed or ignored in healthcare settings. Poor guidance or a lack of quality care often exacerbates issues with weight and wellness.

Additionally, the BMI scale—a tool often used to determine obesity—fails to account for variations in body structures across ethnicities. As a result, Black women are disproportionately deemed overweight or obese, further stigmatizing our natural bodies.

Body Shaming From All Angles

While some Black women are shamed for being “too big,” others face criticism for being “too small.”

• Not Thick Enough: Black women who naturally have thinner frames or who align more closely with traditional beauty standards are often told by family and friends they need to “put some meat on their bones.”
• Colorism and Internalized Criticism: Both lighter- and darker-skinned Black women are targeted by sneers, jokes, and slurs, both within and outside the Black community. This additional layer of discrimination only intensifies feelings of inadequacy.

These toxic dynamics create a culture where no one feels enough—thick, thin, light, or dark.

Reclaiming Our Beauty: Steps Toward Self-Love

Despite these challenges, Black women have always been resilient. Here are some actionable steps to embrace your beauty and uplift your sisters:

1. Redefine Beauty on Your Terms
   Reject mainstream beauty standards. Celebrate your unique features, whether it’s your curves, your natural hair, or your skin tone. Surround yourself with images, affirmations, and communities that uplift and inspire, such as the Melanated Goddess Circle.
2. Practice Mindful Eating
   Food is not the enemy. Focus on nourishing your body with intention. This doesn’t mean restricting or dieting, but instead choosing foods that make you feel good physically and emotionally.
3. Seek Supportive Healthcare Providers
   Advocate for yourself in healthcare settings. Seek out providers who respect and understand the unique needs of Black women.
4. Break the Cycle of Criticism
   Commit to lifting up other Black women. Compliment, encourage, and celebrate each other openly. Let’s create a culture of kindness and affirmation.
5. Address Colorism Head-On
   Speak up against colorist jokes or comments—whether they’re directed at you or someone else. Educate yourself and others on the ways colorism harms our community.
6. Create Your Own Affirmation Ritual
   Start each day with affirmations that honor your beauty and worth. Say them out loud, write them down, and repeat them until they become a part of your belief system.

Loving Ourselves and Each Other

Sisters, it’s time to take our power back. Let’s reject the narratives that tell us we aren’t enough and embrace the truth: we are divine. Our beauty isn’t confined to someone else’s standards; it’s boundless, radiant, and entirely ours.

In this journey of self-love, let’s also remember to love on each other. The next time you see a sista, remind her of her beauty. Let her know she’s seen, valued, and celebrated. Together, we can break free from the shackles of body shaming and body dysmorphia and rise as the queens we were always meant to be.

Join the Conversation

How do you navigate body shaming and beauty standards as a Black woman? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s continue to hold space for each other.