The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

Written by Sonya Renee Taylor

Narrated by Sonya Renee Taylor

In a revolutionary departure from everything we've been told about body-positivity, The Body Is Not an Apology founder Sonya Renee Taylor forges the inextricable bond between radical self-love and social justice.

Systems of oppression thrive off of our inability to make peace with bodies and difference. When we develop the ability to honor difference and radically accept ourselves, we have the capacity and desire to apply those skills to the larger world. Radical self love not only dismantles shame and self loathing in us, but has the power to dismantle global systems of injustice, because when we make true peace with our bodies, only then do we have the capacity to truly make peace with the bodies of the others. The purpose of this book is to get us to stop treating our bodies like cars, to stop acting as if our minds are not part of our bodies. Reading this book will move us beyond these fraught and all-too-often hidden lives, where we easily forget that we are whole humans having whole human experiences in our bodies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ascent Audio
• Release date: Feb 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781663746306

Sonya Renee Taylor

Sonya Renee Taylor is the founder and radical executive officer of The Body Is Not an Apology, a digital media and education company. Her work as an activist and educator has been highlighted in numerous countries and on major media outlets around the world, reaching millions of people with her commitment to radical self-love and transformation. Taylor continues to perform, speak, and facilitate workshops globally.

Reviews for The Body Is Not an Apology

[greeniezona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had a reading challenge prompt for Black Joy, and I walked into my local bookstore saying HELP, I NEED A REC, NONE OF THE BLACK BOOKS ON MY TBR CURRENTLY HAVE ENOUGH JOY, and they pointed me at this book and I purchased it immediately.

I ended up loving it (of course!) Especially the challenge questions at the end — which were good opportunities to examine what bullshit I have mostly unlearned and where the Big Work is still to be done. Taylor's writing embraces joy while also making clear there is real challenge in the work. I will be ruminating on this one for a while.

[bangerlm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't think there was a lot of new-to-me revelations or philosophy. I am not sure where or when, but I feel like I have come across Sonya's work before. Regardless, it was a good reminder.

[thewestwing-864351 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! One that will stay with me for a long time to come. Very thought provoking.

[librolindsay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was fabulous--I just wish I had it when I was younger as it could have helped to hasten where I find myself today. I love that Taylor connects the personal to the wider society. The audio, read by Taylor, was fabulous, too--entertaining and powerful--though I kinda wish I'd read the physical book. I need to spend more time with the Unapologetic Inquiries rather than just blast through them.

[spinsterrevival · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is an anthem with work for the reader. It has good questions, and I appreciated that she talks about the body as a whole as far as inclusiveness rather than just fat representation. I will be returning to it.

[askelmore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best for:
Those open to reconsidering the ways they view themselves and others.

In a nutshell:
Author Sonya Renee Taylor offers up the idea that society’s ills are based on hatred of bodies that deviate from ‘the norm,’ and that by moving beyond self-acceptance to self-love, we will be able to create “a world that works for every body.”

Worth quoting:
“Our societies have defined what is considered a ‘normal’ body and have assigned greater value, resources, and opportunities to the bodies most closely aligned with those ideas of ‘normal.’”

Why I chose it:
A friend directed by to Ms Taylor’s Instagram account, where she often posts videos. I saw she had a book and wanted to check it out.

Review:
Ms Taylor’s premise is that we need to stop judging bodies, not simply as a way to accept and love ourselves, but to literally change the world. Throughout this relatively short book stuffed full of history, sociology, philosophy, and concrete action, Ms Taylor supports her idea that the setting of a default ‘normal’ body and the resulting judgment of bodies that deviate from that norm is what causes harm. She provides opportunities for reflection on how the reader has developed their relationship with their own body, as well as how that in turn influences how they interact with others in the world.

She starts by laying out the concept of radical self-love, then moves onto the history of body shame that propels so many of us to apologize for our bodies - size, gender, ability, neurodiversity, race, etc. - followed by ways to build radical self-love when the world around us pushes just the opposite. Ms Taylor then takes us through the idea of implicit bias and need to remain aware of the ways we continue to judge ourselves and other bodies, and finishes it up with a very practical toolkit.

I love this book. Ms Taylor’s way of writing is accessible and fun. I want all of us to read it and to really think about what it would mean if we were to implement the concepts within it.

Keep it / Pass to a Friend / Donate it / Toss it:
Keep it