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The Body Is Not an Apology summary

Sonya Renee Taylor

The Power of Radical Self-Love

4.1 (122 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor helps us overcome our body shame by transforming the way we feel about ourselves and others. Our body is not an apology, it is our power, and we must celebrate it.

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    The Body Is Not an Apology
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    Embracing radical self-love helps to pave the way for individual and collective transformation.

    In 2010, Sonya Renee Taylor was in a hotel room in Knoxville, Tennessee for a poetry slam competition when her teammate Natasha confided that she feared she was pregnant. Natasha didn’t want the pregnancy – she wasn’t prepared to be a mother, and the would-be father was just a fling.

    Sonya, who had once been a sexual-health and public-health service provider, instinctively asked Natasha why she hadn’t used protection. Natasha was honest. She admitted that her cerebral palsy made sex difficult already, so she felt it wasn’t okay for her to insist on using condoms. Sonya empathized with Natasha and her mind reeled with all of the episodes from her own life in which she’d sacrificed her own bodily needs out of shame. She told Natasha, “Your body is not an apology. It is not something you give to someone to say, ‘Sorry for my disability.’” 

    The key message here is: Embracing radical self-love helps to pave the way for individual and collective transformation.

    These words weren’t just for Natasha’s benefit; in speaking them aloud, the author also galvanized herself to start living unapologetically in her own human body. She realized that we are all born with inherent radical self-love, but as we grow up, the feeling of awe we have for our bodies is replaced with shame. 

    So what exactly is radical self-love, beyond childhood innocence? We can break it down by first discussing what it isn’t. It’s not self-confidence – radical self-love is more expansive than merely thinking highly of yourself. Radical self-love isn’t self-acceptance, either. Self-acceptance lacks imagination; it’s settling for good enough. As activist and professor Angela Davis said, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” We begin our radical self-love journey here: wondering why loving our bodies no longer comes naturally to us.

    You might be wondering why radical self-love is focused on the body. Consider this: when we talk about injustice, we’re talking about the violence and oppression inflicted upon bodies. Racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, homo- and transphobia, weight stigma – these forms of discrimination all stem from conflicts with the body.

    Finally, why must self-love be radical? The term radical emphasizes the need for a political, economic, and social transformation in how we view and deal with bodies in all their variations. Our identities are complex and intersect with one another; therefore, a radical self-love world is a world that works for all bodies.

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    What is The Body Is Not an Apology about?

    The Body Is Not an Apology, Second Edition (2021) shows how restoring our relationships with our bodies on an individual level can lead to transformative change in the world. It’s a guide to developing a radical self-love practice while also disrupting the systems of power that depend on our body shame to survive.

    The Body Is Not an Apology Review

    The Body Is Not an Apology (2018) is a powerful exploration of self-love and the connection between our bodies and society. Why should you pick up this book?

    • With insightful anecdotes and personal stories, it challenges societal norms, inviting readers to embrace their bodies unapologetically.
    • Backed by research and intersectional perspectives, it offers a deep understanding of the impact of body acceptance on various aspects of our lives.
    • By uncovering the links between body image and social justice, the book opens up important conversations and inspires readers to strive for a world without body shame and discrimination.

    Best quote from The Body Is Not an Apology

    I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.

    —Sonya Renee Taylor
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    Who should read The Body Is Not an Apology?

    • People struggling with body shame
    • Social justice advocates
    • Anyone with a body

    About the Author

    Sonya Renee Taylor is a poet, activist, and educator, and the founder of The Body Is Not An Apology movement.

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    The Body Is Not an Apology FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Body Is Not an Apology?

    We should embrace and celebrate our bodies and work towards dismantling systems of oppression and body shame.

    How long does it take to read The Body Is Not an Apology?

    The reading time for The Body Is Not an Apology varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Body Is Not an Apology a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Body Is Not an Apology is a powerful and important book that challenges societal norms and promotes self-acceptance. It is definitely worth reading.

    Who is the author of The Body Is Not an Apology?

    Sonya Renee Taylor is the author of The Body Is Not an Apology.

    What to read after The Body Is Not an Apology?

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