You know that feeling of learning from someone who is talking about a topic they understand far better than you? That was reading this entire book for me and I loved it. In her essay ‘In the Name of Beauty,’ Cottom tackles beauty standards more thoroughly than I’ve ever seen, digging into how they are so intricately interwoven with racism and white supremacy. Racism is a theme throughout this essay collection, which covers the perilous effects of black women not being seen as “competent” by the medical establishment (and more broadly), whiteness and the Obama presidency, and the disparity in perception of Black Americans with roots in slavery compared to recent immigrants, especially in academia. She dissects that favorite argument that poor people remain in poverty because they spend frivolously on status symbols, and heart-breakingly details the impact of an ‘asking for it’ mentality towards victims of sexual assault. ⁣
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This collection was a bit tougher to read than I expected, not realizing Cottom’s background and approach is so academic. I often felt submerged in her arguments as she zipped along grabbing threads and tying connections together, but I loved drowning in her smart and insightful writing. Definitely one to return to and continue digesting. ⁣