My Body is Political: Navigating Awareness, Privilege, and Bias

“My body is political.” These words, originally spoken by a Black man during a powerful seminar Karen attended, resonated deeply and lingered in her thoughts long after. This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the relentless reality faced by marginalized communities. For many of us—especially white women who have historically held privilege—the notion that our bodies can be inherently political is an awakening to a much larger conversation about privilege, bias, and the subtle ways white supremacy shapes our everyday interactions.

In a recent episode of the "White Women Wake Up" podcast titled "My Body Is Always Political," my mother Karen and I discussed how different bodies are continuously judged, policed, and valued by society, often without consent. As someone who has lived in a larger body my entire life, the concept of my body being political resonates profoundly. I've spent years navigating spaces hyper-aware of the judgments silently placed upon me—some filled with pity or disgust, others driven by curiosity, and even some mistakenly believing they offer encouragement when commenting on my body while working out or walking, yet remaining silent about others nearby. The mere fact that people feel entitled to express any opinion about my body reflects a privilege they often don't realize they're exercising. Yet, my whiteness has alsp often shielded me from experiencing the full extent of politicization many marginalized groups face daily.

Bodies as Battlegrounds

Historically, white society—especially white men—has wielded considerable power in shaping how bodies are perceived, regulated, and controlled. From colonialism to slavery, from women's suffrage to ongoing battles for disability rights, gender-affirming care, and women's health, the dominant white culture has systematically politicized bodies, turning them into battlegrounds of control and identity. For instance, the "three strikes" law disproportionately incarcerated Black men, embedding political power deeply within racialized bodies (Alexander, "The New Jim Crow"). Similarly, women's reproductive rights have long been a political arena, illustrated starkly by recent abortion bans across the United States.

In the podcast, Karen shared how observing people at an airport crystallized this idea. Airports are microcosms of humanity, and in that diverse environment, She saw clearly how Black bodies are often scrutinized, disabled bodies are neglected, and larger bodies, like my own, are silently judged. It made her realize how deeply ingrained and pervasive this politicization is.

The Privilege of Not Being Political

Recognizing her privilege was both humbling and eye-opening. As she expressed in our conversation, many white women—myself included at times—have the luxury of stepping in and out of politicization. As Karen pointed out, our white bodies often feel neutral, non-threatening, and invisible in political dialogues. This invisibility is a privilege. We often have the option of silence without consequence, comfortably avoiding discussions that challenge the status quo, while people in "political" bodies are frequently perceived as threatening or overly aggressive when speaking up for their rights. 

Yet, silence perpetuates the very systems we must confront. During the episode, Karen admitted her initial unfamiliarity with viewing her body as political, highlighting generational differences in feminist awareness. Her honesty mirrored the experience of many white women who find discomfort in acknowledging their role within oppressive structures. This discomfort, however, signals an opportunity—a call to wake up and engage.

Infantilization and Tokenism

A critical realization during our dialogue was how easily marginalized bodies become subjects of fascination or education for white audiences—what we described as infantilization. For instance, white fascination with Black women's hair or the objectification of bodies in disability narratives perpetuates the harmful perception of marginalized groups as "others." Even positive-seeming attention, such as tokenism—placing marginalized individuals at the forefront of movements solely to symbolize diversity—can reinforce otherness and inadvertently harm the communities we aim to support.

A poignant example discussed was the controversy surrounding the Bon Appétit test kitchen in 2020. The magazine positioned its creators of color strictly within their ethnic culinary boxes, limiting their representation, while white creators enjoyed broad creative freedom. This exemplifies how white culture often restricts marginalized bodies, boxing them into specific roles or narratives.

Intersectionality and Shared Struggles

The politicization of bodies does not exist in isolation—it intersects race, gender, sexuality, ability, and size. As Kimberlé Crenshaw articulated in her intersectionality theory, recognizing these overlapping identities is essential for understanding how oppression operates on multiple, interconnected fronts (Crenshaw, 1989).

My personal experience in a larger body, for instance, intersects with my racial privilege. While my size subjects me to specific forms of bias, my whiteness simultaneously protects me from racial profiling and many systemic barriers faced by people of color. Acknowledging these intersections deepens our understanding and fosters authentic empathy, moving beyond superficial recognition towards meaningful solidarity.

Moving Beyond Awareness

Real progress demands active engagement, not passive acknowledgment. As discussed in the podcast, true allyship involves not only listening and learning but actively challenging systems that perpetuate injustice. It requires humility and the willingness to dismantle inherited biases actively.

One transformative approach is shifting from observation to genuine interaction—moving past mere curiosity about marginalized experiences to authentic engagement without the expectation of emotional labor or education from marginalized individuals. We must continuously interrogate our biases and resist the urge to center our feelings or guilt in conversations about oppression.

Additionally, white women must understand that while our involvement is crucial, leadership in movements for marginalized rights should rest with those directly affected. Our role is to support, amplify, and follow rather than lead or dictate.

Towards Authentic Change

Throughout history, progress toward equity has come from sustained resistance and collective action, not passive neutrality. The Civil Rights Movement, disability rights activism (notably the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990), and recent advocacy for transgender rights exemplify the power of collective, intersectional resistance.

In our conversation, we challenged listeners to interrogate infantilization, support movements without centering themselves, and break the silence reflex ingrained within white culture. To truly understand the phrase "my body is political" is to recognize and confront our role within oppressive structures actively.

Final Reflections

Reflecting on this statement, I recognize it is a privilege to choose when and how to engage with political issues, a privilege not afforded to marginalized individuals whose bodies are inherently political. However, awareness is merely a first step. Genuine allyship and systemic change require sustained effort, critical self-reflection, and action.

Let this recognition be a catalyst, not an endpoint. Let it guide us to deeper engagement, meaningful allyship, and persistent advocacy. Our awareness must evolve into action—through conversations, policy advocacy, supporting marginalized voices, and continually confronting our biases.

As Karen insightfully noted during our podcast conversation, this journey is ongoing, and there is always more to learn and unlearn. But therein lies the power: recognizing our political bodies as instruments not just of oppression but of transformative potential. By embracing discomfort, challenging our biases, and supporting marginalized voices authentically, we contribute to reshaping the world toward greater equity, inclusivity, and justice for all bodies.

Stay curious, be open and keep waking up!

-Jonelle