Note from BW of Brazil: With Carnaval celebrations and associated festivities heating up, the image of the voluptuous, sexy and (many believe) sexually available black woman will again take center stage, as always, supplying one of the few images of representation that is offered to her all year long. Even though the issue of “black woman as sex object” has been covered here, the evidence also being clear, and how the stereotype continues to live on, this topic can never be covered enough, particularly with Carnaval season arriving and Brazil being such a willing participant in the dissemination of such an image. It is with such a background that makes today proclamation all the more relevant. 

My carne (flesh/meat) is of Carnival, not your sexual object!

Courtesy of Coletivo Negração; Photos: Gênova Wisniewski

“… Now, we extend our gaze to observe the following: At least since the early nineteenth century…

I have a nasty case of The Mondays. Except it’s Tuesday. I should be renewed and invigorated after a lovely holiday weekend, right?

Instead, somehow, I’m anything but.

I’m having the worst hair day ever. My quest for an all-natural shampoo has lead me down a path of heavy greasy terribleness, and I’ve been resisting the urge to call my stylist for a severe chin-length chop all afternoon. Also, I may have fallen victim to the siren song of the home hair color aisle, and I may really regret it.

I’m feeling bloated and puffy, my to-do list is giving me the stink eye, I’ve wasted an hour on Hautelook and Makeup Alley debating whether or not to buy discounted Tan Towels to combat my pastiness, and my face is breaking out in ways I didn’t think possible for a woman nearing 30.

Oh, and it’s been a dreadfully