Season 5, Episode 2 of Listen to Black Women has dropped, and hosts Lore’l, Danielle Young, Jessie Woo, Jerrie Johnson, and Torrei Hart are back with an insightful conversation on body image and body positivity.

Titled Curves, Criticism, and Everything In-Between, the episode delves into the complex terrain Black women navigate when it comes to self-image and body appreciation. The hosts discuss everything from twerking and societal double standards to weight loss drugs, surgeries, and the relentless pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.

The episode kicks off with some lighthearted fun as the women share a moment of twerking together. However, they emphasize that twerking is far more than just a trendy dance move for Black women—it carries deep cultural significance. While twerking in its current form emerged in the 1990s from New Orleans’ Bounce scene, it traces its roots to the ancient Mapouka dance from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in West Africa, according to Pop Sugar. What started as a powerful cultural expression for Black women has sadly been weaponized to demonize them for simply celebrating their bodies. Johnson expressed her frustration, pointing out how figures like Megan Thee Stallion are relentlessly criticized for twerking in their performances and music videos.

“What I have to say is that we get to decide what’s too much for us, because I’m sure there are some things that Meg The Stallion won’t do on stage, yeah? That she won’t do on camera,” the actress shared. “Twerking is not one of those things, and that’s her prerogative, right? Twerking is not tied to promiscuity.”

Doubling down on the theory, Young said she believes Black women are often judged and “policed heavier” for twerking more than other cultures, like white women for example, because its tied to Black culture and our bodies. 

“If twerking was a white sport, would we hear the issues that we hear?” she pondered.

There are also clear double standards when it comes to twerking, according to Woo. The media personality highlighted that when white women engage in twerking, it is often celebrated or commercialized, with their ability to “monetize” the dance being a key factor.

Can twerking or other forms of body positivity become too much at times?

Later in the episode, the ladies discussed whether there’s a point where twerking or other forms of body positivity and self-expression might cross a line into being “too much.” Woo expressed her discomfort with Sexyy Red twerking with students at a high school in her hometown of St. Louis back in April, calling it inappropriate for young teens who are still navigating body image.

The conversation then shifted to Lizzo’s 2019 appearance at a Lakers game, where she sat courtside in a thong. Some of the hosts felt it was too much, particularly given the presence of children at the game. However, Young pushed back, questioning whether their reaction would have been the same if it had been a celebrity like Rihanna in that position. Woo agreed.

“Lizzo’s outfit was intended, I think, to spark conversation. She puts that out there. And I feel like for her, it’s like a way of body positivity, but it has gotten backlash, and I think it’s not just because of her shape.”

Young added that while she appreciates Lizzo for encouraging people to embrace plus-size women wearing sexy clothing, she believes no single celebrity should be seen as the sole face of the body positivity movement.

“I don’t like the idea of just because somebody is plus size, now they got to preach body positivity,” she explained. “It’s like, I’m so brave for being in this body and loving what it is. It’s because the standard is skinny, even though the average is not. So, now, it’s you love your body, as opposed to just self love.”

This episode of Listen To Black Women leaves no stone unturned. Watch the full conversation above. 

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