Saartjie Baartman and the Public Spectacle of Blackness

Not even in fiction is Saartjie Baartman spared the reduction to her physical features that attends her life in Europe. Contemporary media today could argue that representation of the black female body has come far from a place of spectacle and vilification to one of celebration. We see the rise of pop stars like Beyoncé, sports stars like Serena Williams and political figures like Michelle Obama. And yet, with their rise, there comes no reduction in conversation around their bodies, their (

Every year, The Republic publishes the most ambitious writing focused on Africa, from news and analysis to long-form features.

To continue reading this article, Subscribe or Register for a Free Pass.

Already a subscriber? Log in.