The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

Content Warning: This section mentions body image, racism, ableism, and transphobia.

Ableism is a form of discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities. It involves the belief that “typical” abilities—those of people who are not disabled—are superior, and it can manifest in the societal devaluation of disability. This can lead to people with disabilities being viewed as less worthy of respect, as less capable of participating, or as of a lower status than those without disabilities. Ableism can be explicit or subtle and can be present in various forms. Examples of ableism includes barriers to mobility or access to buildings, transportation, or services; derogatory language or demeaning comments about disabilities; and societal structures and institutions that do not consider the needs of people with disabilities or that perpetuate discriminatory practices, often through neglect or oversight. In The Body Is Not an Apology, Taylor addresses ableism as one of many body-based forms of prejudice. She discusses how to fight ableism in the final chapter of the book.

According to Taylor, purchases made through “best-interest buying” uphold one’s values of radical self-love. Taylor distinguishes this from “detriment buying,” which arises from feelings of not being enough. She discusses these purchasing habits in the