Sis, You Are the Blueprint: Reclaiming Our Bodies, Beauty, and Power
Let’s talk, sis. Being a Black woman in this world means navigating the constant push and pull of societal expectations and outright disrespect. They want to dismiss us while simultaneously commodifying us—our style, our culture, even our bodies. But here’s the truth: Black women have always been the standard. We are the blueprint. And it’s time to reclaim our narrative, our bodies, and our worth.
Exhibit A: The Commercial Hustle
Commercials and ads? They’re not selling products; they’re selling insecurities. Lighten this, smooth that, shrink this—it’s a never-ending cycle. And the kicker? They’ll slap our features on the face of someone else while telling us we’re not enough. From our full lips to our curves, Black women’s bodies have been commodified and celebrated on everyone but us.
For centuries, our features have been stolen and monetized. Think about it: the same full lips and hips that they mocked on us are now sold as beauty goals. Plastic surgeons are cashing in on the “BBL craze,” but they conveniently leave Black women out of the conversation about natural beauty. Meanwhile, they criticize our bodies for being “too much.” It’s exhausting, and it’s infuriating.
Exhibit B: The Lingerie Lie
Certain lingerie brands love to push a very narrow idea of “sexy”—and guess who’s rarely included? Us. When we are included, it’s often to exoticize our bodies rather than celebrate them. These companies want our curves but not our stories. But sis, your body isn’t here to sell products or fit into their mold. It’s here to house your power, your soul, and your truth.
Exhibit C: The Photoshop Problem
Let’s talk about Photoshop. These altered images tell us that natural isn’t enough. Stretch marks, cellulite, or skin texture? Nope, they erase it all. But what’s wild is they’re using our features—our lips, our shapes, our styles—and then editing them into some distorted version of “perfection.”
Sis, your beauty doesn’t need retouching. The texture of your hair, the melanin glow, the way your body moves through the world—it’s already a masterpiece.
Exhibit D: Conflicting Messages
Society wants us to be everything at once: strong but soft, sexy but modest, ambitious but not “intimidating.” The double standards are endless, but for Black women, the stakes are even higher. We’re told to be “thick but not too thick,” “bold but not too loud,” and it’s exhausting trying to meet standards that were never made for us.
Exhibit E: Aging While Black
Let’s not forget how they try to erase Black women as we age. The world loves to praise youthful beauty, but aging as a Black woman is something special. Our melanin ages like fine wine. Those gray hairs and laugh lines are evidence of wisdom, survival, and joy. Aging in Black skin is a privilege—and we need to own that.
Commodifying Black Women’s Bodies: The Disrespect
From Saartjie Baartman to today’s Instagram trends, Black women’s bodies have been commodified, dissected, and exploited for centuries. They fetishize our curves, our lips, and even our skin tone—but only when it’s convenient for them. They want what we have but not who we are.
This isn’t just about beauty standards—it’s about the world’s ongoing habit of profiting off Black women while dismissing our humanity. Our bodies aren’t trends. They aren’t here to be dissected, judged, or imitated. They’re ours, and they deserve respect.
Reclaiming Black Womanhood
Sis, it’s time to take back what’s ours. We define our beauty, our worth, and our power—not society. Here’s how:
Speak Truth to Power: Call out the commodification and double standards when you see them.
Unapologetically Love Yourself: Wear the bold outfit, rock the natural hair, and celebrate your body as it is.
Curate Your Space: Surround yourself with people and media that honor Black women for who we are—not what they can take from us.
Protect Your Peace: Take breaks from the noise. You don’t have to engage with everything and everyone.
Affirmations for Black Women
My body is not a trend—it’s a temple.
My worth is not defined by society’s standards.
I celebrate my curves, my edges, my melanin—all of me.
I honor the beauty and strength of my ancestors in how I carry myself.
I am the blueprint. Always have been, always will be.
Reflection Prompt
How can you reclaim your body and your beauty in a way that feels authentic and empowering to you?
You Are the Blueprint
Black women have always been the foundation of beauty, creativity, and resilience. Our features, our culture, and our brilliance have been co-opted for far too long. It’s time to stand in our truth and remind the world that we are more than enough—we are everything.
Rooting for your power,
Dr. Brooklyn Chick 🌱✨
