Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist

Written by Sesali Bowen

Narrated by Sesali Bowen

“Sesali Bowen is poised to give Black feminism the rejuvenation it needs. Her trendsetting writing and commentary reaches across experiences and beyond respectability. I and so many Black girls still figuring out who they are in this world will gain so much from whatever she has to say.”—Charlene A. Carruthers, activist and author of Unapologetic: A Black, Queer and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

“Sesali perfectly vocalizes the inner dialogue, and daily mantras needed to be a Bad Bitch.”—Gabourey Sidibe, actor, director, and author of This is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare

“A powerful call for a more inclusive and 'real' feminism.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Bowen writes from an authentic space for Black women who are often left out of feminist conversations due to respectability politics, but who are just as deserving of the same voice and liberation.”—Booklist (starred review)

From funny and fearless entertainment journalist Sesali Bowen, Bad Fat Black Girl combines rule-breaking feminist theory, witty and insightful personal memoir, and cutting cultural analysis for an unforgettable, genre-defining debut.

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Sesali Bowen learned early on how to hustle, stay on her toes, and champion other Black women and femmes as she navigated Blackness, queerness, fatness, friendship, poverty, sex work, and self-love. 

Her love of trap music led her to the top of hip-hop journalism, profiling game-changing artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, and Janelle Monae. But despite all the beauty, complexity, and general badassery she saw, Bowen found none of that nuance represented in mainstream feminism. Thus, she coined Trap Feminism, a contemporary framework that interrogates where feminism meets today's hip-hop.

Bad Fat Black Girl offers a new, inclusive feminism for the modern world. Weaving together searing personal essay and cultural commentary, Bowen interrogates sexism, fatphobia, and capitalism all within the context of race and hip-hop. In the process, she continues a Black feminist legacy of unmatched sheer determination and creative resilience.

Bad bitches: this one’s for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063028722

Sesali Bowen

SESALI BOWEN is a writer who curates events, writes for film and television, and creates elevated pop culture correspondence. Bowen is the former senior entertainment editor at Nylon magazine and senior entertainment writer at Refinery29. Focusing on Black pop culture, she helped launch Unbothered, R29’s sub brand for Black women. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times and Feministing. Bowen lives in New Jersey.

Reviews for Bad Fat Black Girl

[Jacqueline Mack-Harris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely amazing! This is a much needed commentary on feminism and what it means to walk through this world as a black girl, particularly big black girl. Even though I did not personally resonate with every part of this book, I feel so seen. It is rare to have the black, fem experience articulated that's not watered down for the masses and is targeted to us with making us the target. Thank you Sesali!

[Alecia Finley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book! I feel so seen and heard by this!

[Jacqueline Harper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That first chapter... chefs kiss!!!!!! This book was such a pleasure for a black fat woman such as me. I could relate to a lot of her stories. It honestly opened my eyes to some things in my life that I need to realign.

[Maya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed "Bad Fat Black Girl" by Sesali Bowen. I don't like to rate memoirs because I don't think a person's life experience should be rated but (I have to in order to leave this review on scribd) I will talk about the things I liked and didn't like though.

Something I didn't like was how short the book is. I also didn't like how there wasn't a section for trigger warnings, to warn about the serious content that is discussed within the book.

I really liked how Bowen used her life experiences coupled with statics about domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual assaults to depict what life is like for a lot of Black femmes and Black gender non conforming folks in American currently. So much of this book resonated with me.

I listened to the audiobook for free on Scribd

[Lihle Tshabalala · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ohhh my goodness!
This is the letter to all ghetto girls to remember to cement themselves and their existence in every single place they find themselves in. The street smarts, the love, the acceptance and the sheer bravery coming from this book are the things to keep me going as a ghetto, fat black girl.

[Ebony Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Honestly I really enjoyed this book I'll probably read again.

[Danielle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this! It’s an absolute must read! I found a new auto buy author

[Kinsey Mustafa-Widberg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book, I would certainly recommend to anyone interested. Very easy to listen to, an interesting account of the author's life, and touches on important issues that are often left out of so-called feminist conversations. Also, I might be in love with Sesali Bowen but that's neither here nor there

[tinicka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

She spoke to me the entire time! Thanks for seeing me sis❤️

[Rose Chevallier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, this book was raw, gritty and in your face. As a black women I may not share in that lifestyle, but I can definitely relate in the resilience to thrive and accept who we are unconditionally … Love it!!!!

[Jessica Burnett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really entertaining and insightful read. Also very funny . I enjoyed listening to the author's perspective

[Nas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love a good memoir and this one really hit raw and to the point.

[kalliegrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is great, another important voice in intersectional feminism. A perspective from someone I have so very little in common with but that is so human and relatable just the same. This is verging on memoir, though it's organized to take us through different aspects of trap feminism. I wish it was longer!