There are lots of books about body image available, but there are few that focus specifically on black women. Naked, however, provides an inspiring and enlightening journey into the lives of 25 black women, each of whom shares her thoughts on learning to love her body. Beautifully written, very inspiring, and a wonderful resource for any woman who wants to hear some other perspectives on the black female body.
Our reviewer's opinion:
"Naked is a compilation of stories from black women who learned to love their bodies and themselves as a whole, regardless of the negative messages (spoken and unspoken) that were indoctrinated in their minds from childhood. Most of the pieces are coming-of-age stories; others are just shorter statements of personal philosophies that developed from the women's struggles with "physical imperfection". Each woman thoughtfully examines what effects her self-worth has had on the way she has treated herself and how she has let others treat her.
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Naked is similar to Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, in the sense that these women learn to deal with social ills like abuse, poverty, racism, and sexism, by coming to terms with who they are physically and emotionally. They all admit they are not 'perfect'. They have no desire to be 'perfect' (and who's to say what 'perfect' is, anyway?). They had to find their own definitions of beauty, because what society says is beautiful is typically what they don't have, they can't have, or they would have to use lots of resources, like time and money, to get. They found that it was often not worth the effort, because external beauty doesn't cure what's going on inside. Like putting a bandage on a broken leg, changing the outside will only take you so far.
"The stories in this book reflect many extremes. There are women who tried to look more beautiful for attention, and others who tried to hide what they had. All the women realize that by trying to please others, they only made themselves unhappy. The book also deals with the behaviors that result from these 'beauty' issues, like eating disorders (anorexia and binge eating), promiscuity, drug addiction, and acting irresponsible in general.
"Naked deals realistically with core 'black issues' that most non-racially specific love-your-body books don't deal with – but this book reflects the realities black women live with on a daily basis. The women discuss having to live up to 'European standards of beauty' as well as beauty standards perceived as more desirable within their own group (such as certain hair textures, skin tones, and body shapes). These are mostly the 'laugh to keep from crying' things black people talk about when they are only around other black people, which is precisely why non-blacks can be oblivious to it.
"The stories range from funny to heartbreaking, but all end with the women coming to terms with who they are. Some of the issues they deal with are pretty heavy, like abortions, STIs, and rape and it uses a lot of adult language. Even though I'd recommend the book for people aged 13 and up, it should be at the discretion of parents what words and issues they want their kids reading about.
"I really like how Naked gives voice to women of all backgrounds, from poor to privileged; women who grew up with both parents to those raised by other family members; conservative and liberal writers; teachers, doctors, CEOs, etc. I like that the stories are short and to-the-point, and that a portrait of each woman is included with her story. Naked also isn't preachy, which sets it apart from many other books about body image.
"I think this book should be required reading for every black high school and college student, male or female. Men need to be more conscious of the ways in which their actions affect the women in their lives. Girls need to learn from these women's mistakes so they don't make the same ones and halt their current behaviors that are detrimental to their minds, bodies, and souls. And both groups can stop doing things that are harmful to the black psyche as a whole."
