The purpose of this study is to understand Black women’s recollection and representation of Saartjie Baartman in comparison to their own body image, while also aligning their interpretation of Baartman’s legacy through contemporary reflections of themselves and others. Interviews with 30 Black women in South Africa (n = 15) and the United States (n = 15) reveal that accurate knowledge and perceptions of Baartman’s experience varies; Baartman’s body is remembered as trope and ideal object to compare; however, Black women find resilience and positivity in Baartman’s story. These findings although some consistent with previous literature, some are inconsistent. Considering the Black women in this study did not thematically discuss experiencing dissatisfaction, self-objectification, or self-surveillance. It is important to recognize Black women’s perceptions of their bodies as resilient and positive rather than dissatisfied. This research provides important information for the furtherance of positive body image and Black women relative to the curvaceous ideal.

这项研究的目的是了解黑人妇女对Saartjie Baartman的记忆和与自己身体形象相比的代表，同时还通过当代对自己和他人的反思来统一黑人妇女对Baartman遗产的解释。在南非（n  = 15）和美国（n = 15）揭示对Baartman经历的准确知识和看法有所不同；人们记得巴特曼的尸体是望远镜和比较的理想对象。但是，黑人妇女在巴特曼的故事中发现了韧性和积极性。这些发现虽然有些与以前的文献一致，但有些不一致。考虑到本研究中的黑人妇女没有在主题上讨论经历的不满，自我客体化或自我监视。重要的是要认识到黑人妇女对自己身体的看法是有弹性和积极的，而不是不满意的。这项研究为促进积极的身体形象和黑人女性相对于曲线美的理想提供了重要的信息。