The Body Is Not an Apology, Second Edition

The Power of Radical Self-Love

By: Sonya Renee Taylor

Narrated by: Sonya Renee Taylor

“To build a world that works for everyone, we must first make the radical decision to love every facet of ourselves.... ‘The body is not an apology’ is the mantra we should all embrace.” (Kimberlé Crenshaw, legal scholar and founder and executive director, African American Policy Forum)

Humans are a varied and divergent bunch with all manner of beliefs, morals, and bodies. Systems of oppression thrive off our inability to make peace with difference and injure the relationship we have with our own bodies.

The Body Is Not an Apology offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by these violent systems. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies. When we act from this truth on a global scale, we usher in the transformative opportunity of radical self-love, which is the opportunity for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world - for us all.

This second edition includes stories from Taylor’s travels around the world combating body terrorism and shines a light on the path toward liberation guided by love. In a brand new final chapter, she offers specific tools, actions, and resources for confronting racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia. And she provides a case study showing how radical self-love not only dismantles shame and self-loathing in us but has the power to dismantle entire systems of injustice. Together with the accompanying workbook, Your Body Is Not an Apology, Taylor brings the practice of radical self-love to life.

©2018, 2021 Sonya Renee Taylor (P)2021 Sonya Renee Taylor

must read

absolutely mind-blowing, I had no idea how deeply this book would affect how I look at the world.

A compassionate call to introspection and action

Her goal is not to convince or ensure that we agree 100%. Instead, she asks us to consider, re-consider and make ripples within our internal atmospheres and commit to compassionate actions within our spheres of influence. I didn't know what to expect. I was surprised, validated and challenged in profound ways.

Inspired in Context

I really enjoyed listening to this book on a long road trip by myself. I often rewound to get a better understanding of the authors argument. It was good brain food. As an avid runner weightlifter and dance instructor, I've actually between celebrating and nitpicking at my body. it feels wonderful to have something to say to myself when I get in that mode and need radical self love. I also invite the author to talk more about heart disease diabetes, and the unavoidable medical dangers of obesity. t
That struggle is real as well. Only exercise and calorie awareness can mitigate those debilitating outcomes.

For Every Body.

Beautifully written memoir mixed with research and practical exercises for learning to love your body.

a MUST read!!

EVERYONE needs to read or listen to this book!! It's very eye opening and heart changing.