The Body Is Not an Apology

This pioneering bestseller has become a rallying cry for a movement of radical self-love--the second edition shows readers how to grow the movement from self to systems and includes empowering stories from Sonya Renee Taylor's travels around the world.

In a revolutionary departure from the capitalist-driven self-help and body-positivity movement, poet, author, and humanitarian Sonya Renee Taylor forges an inextricable bond between radical self-love and social justice. The first step is recognizing that we have all been indoctrinated into a system of body shame that profits off our self-hatred. 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 chapter, Taylor confronts each of the "isms" and phobias, especially racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia, showing how radical self-love manifests in each space. Radical self-love not only dismantles shame and self-loathing in us but has the power to dismantle global systems of injustice--because when we make peace with our bodies, only then do we have the capacity to truly make peace with the bodies of others. Readers can also engage more deeply using the accompanying workbook, which builds on the ten tools and radical reflection and unapologetic inquiry exercises woven throughout the book.