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Waist beads being promoted as "fitness beads" is really bothering me
I can't think of anything whiter than this
I can't think of anything whiter than this
One of the FIRST things I learned about waist beads is they are inclusive of all bodies.
So folks tying it with gym body culture is irking my soul
So folks tying it with gym body culture is irking my soul
And especially because I know how big of an industry the "weight loss" culture is and it [USA weight loss culture] is in complete opposition of the West African culture it's appropriating
I have a good friend that introduced me to waist beads some years back. Upon learning more I felt so inspired and confident about what wearing them meant for me.
I tend to my waist beads, I make my waist beads, and I even set intentions when I make them
I tend to my waist beads, I make my waist beads, and I even set intentions when I make them
I also REALLY hate capitalism. It thrives on our suffering. Many of our conversations center how exploitive it is, but I want to mention that it thrives on our discontentment
It creates fake ass problems and tries to sell solutions.
The "fake ass problem" in this culture is this idea that everyone should be reaching for the same fitness aesthetic.
Whiteness is a cookie cutter ass culture
Whiteness is a cookie cutter ass culture
This is why their houses are ugly and look the same
This is why their food is bland
Whiteness spends its time recreating the same thing over and over
This is why their food is bland
Whiteness spends its time recreating the same thing over and over
This is also why it steals from other cultures
It just keeps recreating the same things over and over
The reason whiteness moves in this way is because it cannot create. It cannot bring life into something, it is too destructive and deadly to be able to do so
It just keeps recreating the same things over and over
The reason whiteness moves in this way is because it cannot create. It cannot bring life into something, it is too destructive and deadly to be able to do so
The disconnect that whiteness and capitalism has with waist beads is waist beads are rooted in a culture of people's who values (well historically anyway) are not centered on "skinniness"
The waist beads themselves are about our femininity. Femininity has nothing to do with gym culture.
Femininity can be carried by ANY body type so to confine it to gym bodies is damaging
And for me personally, waist beads have being so important to my journey since my friend blessed me with a couple some years back.
A major thing has been how much I enjoy seeing myself naked. I get EXCITED to see myself ok.
A major thing has been how much I enjoy seeing myself naked. I get EXCITED to see myself ok.
My body is so imperfect, but being adorned with waist beads has brought me joy towards this imperfect vessel.
So entangling their purpose and meaning with the very culture of discontentment that has cause me so much pain in regards to my appearance and ability to embrace my own feminity and womanhood despite my blackness, irks me ok
Some of y'all have informed me that your introduction to waist beads has been from diet culture.
This grieves me.
I'd like to share my introduction if y'all don't mind
I'll be quick
This grieves me.
I'd like to share my introduction if y'all don't mind
I'll be quick
I still stand on the fact that the tumors I developed in my body was due to the constant tear gas from Saint Louis PDs.
Per the description of my doctors, they were the size of a "six month pregnancy"
This was said to me in 2015.
Per the description of my doctors, they were the size of a "six month pregnancy"
This was said to me in 2015.
Something of that size ABSOLUTELY shows up ok.
It was visually apparent. My stomach was large.
It was visually apparent. My stomach was large.
I was venting to my friend (this is the same friend who taught me about waist beads and made me 3 beautiful pairs) about how hurt I was about what was happening to my body.
Eventually after our conversation, she decides to make and provide me with waist beads.
My introduction to them was at time when my body was WYLIN' ok,but their intro to my life has been so healing for me.
Also tumor free now btw
My introduction to them was at time when my body was WYLIN' ok,but their intro to my life has been so healing for me.
Also tumor free now btw
So knowing my intro to waist beads came at time of pain, tumors, and "unideal body type" and now witnessing these brands sell this as some "gym body" shit bothers me
Those of us African descent deserve access to [our] culture of our ancestors in healing and affirming ways.
It should NOT be taught and introduced to us from corporations selling thinness
I so hate that some were introduced to them from toxic sources
It should NOT be taught and introduced to us from corporations selling thinness
I so hate that some were introduced to them from toxic sources
So if your intro to waist beads was "here some magical item to be skinny" shit, I am so sorry.
Y'all/we deserve better
Y'all/we deserve better
And I don't want anyone to perceive me as being "waist beads expert", I'm not. I've relied on oral history telling for the little that I do know, but in no way can I stand for anything rooted in African culture being aligned with some skinny shit. I'm tired.
No.
No.
