Source: Daniel de la Hoz / Getty
In recent years, the wellness industry has been under scrutiny for its lack of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Black wellness advocates, activists, and authors have been at the forefront of challenging the industry’s norms and promoting a more holistic and inclusive approach to well-being. Below are seven influential books that not only guide readers toward better health but also challenge and reshape their perceptions of wellness, shedding light on how the industry interacts with marginalized communities. This collection of literature serves as a guide for those seeking a more inclusive, radical, and empowering approach to wellness.
RELATED: 5 Books You Need To Read If You Struggle With Setting Boundaries
1. Belly of the Beast by Deshaun L. Harrison
Deshaun L. Harrison’s Belly of the Beast presents a profound analysis of the connections among Black identity, fatness, gender, well-being, and the impact of police violence. The book delves into the concept of anti-fatness as anti-Blackness, shedding light on the process of dismantling denial and challenging societal norms that stigmatize body size. Harrison advocates for unlearning cultural programming that portrays being fat as a “bad” thing and advocates for transforming the existing societal structures, creating a space where Black folx with diverse body sizes can thrive without being subjected to oppression.
2. The Body Liberation Project by Chrissy King
Chrissy King’s The Body Liberation Project challenges the narrow beauty standards perpetuated by the wellness industry. King advocates for body positivity and liberation, promoting the idea that true well-being comes from accepting and embracing one’s body, regardless of societal expectations. By dismantling harmful narratives around body image, King empowers readers to redefine their relationship with their bodies and prioritize self-love to achieve liberation.
3. Decolonizing Wellness by Dalia Kinsey
In Decolonizing Wellness by Dalia Kinsey, the registered dietitian and nutritionist guides readers on a journey to enhance their health without resorting to restrictions. The book aims to alleviate stress related to food and eating, fostering a transformation where food becomes a source of pleasure rather than shame. Written as a roadmap for body acceptance and self-care for queer people of color, Kinsey’s offers readers practical eating practices, journal prompts, affirmations, and mindfulness tools.
RELATED: Black Author Publishes Children’s Book To Empower Black Families In Health Conversations
4. Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown
Author and editor Adrienne Maree Brown explores how we can transform social justice into a deeply pleasurable human experience by advocating for what she terms “pleasure activism”—a politics centered on healing and happiness that challenges the notion that changing the world is merely a form of labor. Drawing inspiration from the Black feminist tradition, Brown encourages a reevaluation of the foundational principles of activism with thought-provoking essays woven with insights from fellow feminist thinkers like Audre Lorde, Joan Morgan, Cara Page, and more. Together, they delve into diverse topics such as sex work, climate change, race, gender, and the intersections of sex and drugs, constructing new narratives about how politics can be an enjoyable experience and how the pursuit of pleasure always involves intricate political considerations.
5. Reparations and Wholeness: A Path to Healing Justice by Danny Angelo Fluker, Jr.
Reparations & Wholeness: A Path to Healing Justice invites readers to imagine a future where reparations extend beyond mere financial compensation to embrace comprehensive healing and authentic justice. Central to the book is a crucial question: How can reparations be redefined when seen through the perspective of healing justice? Addressing the persistent impact of generational trauma on Black descendants of chattel slavery in the United States, this work sheds light on a journey toward healing and transformative change.
6. Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
Under the influence of capitalism, we find ourselves caught in a cycle where our bodies and minds are driven to work at an unrealistic and detrimental pace. This perpetuates the same system that historically enslaved millions, exploiting their labor for gain. In Rest Is Resistance, Nap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey (also known as the Nap Bishop) sheds light on our complex relationship with rest and envisions a future where rest is revered. Her work challenges the idea that our value is determined by our productivity, especially within a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Embracing rest in its most basic form becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power, asserting our fundamental humanity.
7. Sacred Self-Care by Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes
In her roles as a clinical psychologist, pastor, and activist, Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes has engaged in extensive study and collaboration with clients, clergy, seminary faculty, and faith-based activists. Her aim is to inspire them to perceive self-care as not only a divine right but also a sacred obligation. With Sacred Self-Care, Walker-Barnes offers a comprehensive seven-week guide that compiles activities, habits, disciplines, and practices fostering spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and relational well-being. Each day within the guide features a narrative accompanied by concise and straightforward prompts, along with scripture passages. These elements are designed to facilitate a shift in behaviors in the short term while encouraging the development of lifelong habits for overall holistic health.
Steph R. Long is a Chopra-certified health and meditation instructor, founder of holistic wellness and coaching company SRL Well-Being, and the former Deputy Director of Enterprise for Refinery29 Unbothered. As a queer Black wellness practitioner who strives toward inclusivity, Steph centers BIPOC and QTBIPOC, who are often underserved by the wellness industry. Her commitment is to help everyone rediscover their inner wisdom, empowering each of her clients to cultivate self-awareness and lead vibrant, purposeful lives.
MORE FROM STEPH R. LONG:
3 Ways To Use Mindful Movement for Stress Relief
Signs You’re Ready To See A Therapist (And How To Find The Right One)
Who Can I Run To? The Strong Friend’s Guide to Self-Care
