Growing up as a black and Hispanic person in a predominantly white Southern town, raised by white parents and surrounded by white peers, I often found myself struggling to navigate the complexities of my identity and culture. As I grew older, I began questioning the things I was taught, and art became my outlet for self-discovery. Through this process, I started to challenge the norms and values I had been taught and found my feminist beliefs rooted in brown and queer representation and human rights.
I talked to my therapist about the challenges I faced as a black person raised in a predominantly white environment. She told me that I should be proud of coming into my own identity despite the surrounding influences.
Realizing the lack of representation and diversity in boudoir, self-love, and body confidence content, I decided to reevaluate the content I consumed. I actively sought out queer content creators. Now I am challenging the notion that self love concepts were only meant for thin, Victoria's Secret model-like cis women. As a teenager, I aspired to become a Victoria's Secret model, but I never saw short brown hairy people like me.
Rediscovering my passion for sketching allowed me to reconnect with my authenticity as an artist. Since 2015 I have been drawing curvy bodies, but they were always female and more often white than they were any other race. Again, this was primarily because I could never find diverse bodies for reference before social media. Now I strive to create a space that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the beauty of every body.
Growing up, I felt the pressure to conform to certain cultural expectations. My black peers didn't accept that I didn't speak Ebonics or use the N word, while my Hispanic peers disregarded me as they spoke Spanish to each other. Seeking therapy and practicing self-care were not culturally acceptable at that time either, adding to my “whiteness”.
In Sonya Renee Taylor's "The Body Is Not an Apology," she questions the idea of apologizing for our bodies. Society often asks us to apologize for our bodies' appearance or choices, such as covering tattoos, wearing certain clothing, or being unapologetically ourselves. This pressure to conform to societal expectations perpetuates body shame and stifles individuality.
Something I specifically resonated with was her comments on the idea of “not seeing color,” or blatantly ignoring differences. Embracing and celebrating our differences is vital for a more inclusive and accepting society. Not acknowledging diversity only leaves us who are “not the default” to feel invisible and unheard.
By challenging stereotypes and advocating for brown and queer representation, I hope to create a space that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of every body, fostering a world that embraces all forms of identity with love and acceptance.
Journal Prompts:
Reflect on your journey of self-discovery. How have your identity and cultural background influenced your experiences and interactions in your environment?
In what ways have you felt the need to “apologize for your body” or conform to societal norms about your existence?