Booty has been in the news a lot lately. Or at least my social media feed. I mean, if J-Lo’s new video hasn’t popped up on your screen yet, I’ll assume you’re living in a cave—or maybe you’re just better about filtering your media intake than I am. But it’s not just J-Lo. If you take Vogue’s word for it, the Booty is having a moment. Which is funny, because it seems like the booty has actually been around for a long time. Maybe it’s just that rich, white people who were formerly obsessed with NOT having a booty are finally realizing it’s a thing. Of course, commercializing women’s bodies—turning them into commodities—is a complicated thing. And sometimes we do it to ourselves.
In case you needed a refresher, I present to you a brief history of The Booty. (WARNING: Some links might not be 100% SFW.)
EARLY 1800s
The Hottentot Venus arrives in England—Saartjie Baartman, of the Khoikhoi tribe, is sold into slavery and then sent to England to be put on display in the Piccadilly for her unusually large buttocks. England was entranced, but sadly, Baartman lived virtually as a slave until her death.
LATE 1800s
The bustle appears in the mid-1800s. The official line is that they held up heavy, ornate dresses. But maybe it was really booty envy.
MID 1900s
In a 1952 Life magazine feature, Marilyn Monroe opened up about how she lifted small weights, “for the muscles I wish to keep firm.”
1990
A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album features Q-Tip extolling the virtues of Bonita Applebum.
1992
Sorry, 2014. The 90s might actually be the original “decade of the booty.” Four words: Sir Mix-A-Lot.
1999
Jennifer Lopez makes it big with her album On the 6. And other things. Rumors fly she insures her very valuable backside for $300 million.
2001
Beyonce and Destiny’s Child release Bootylicious. Assert, “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly.”
2005
Ferggie gets guys love drunk on her lady lumps.
2006
The New York Times reports on the explosion of butt implants in the U.S.
2007
Kim Kardashian, and her most famous asset, launch to reality TV stardom. Eventually she defends herself against rumors of butt implants.
April, 2014
Vanity Fair features Instagram butt selfie sensation Jen Selter.
Sept. 9, 2014
With only a slight nod to the 90s, Vogue declares the dawn of the Big Booty Era. Wait, what?
Sept. 12, 2014
Erika Nicole Kendall‘s brilliant column for NPR addresses all the things Vogue kind of … missed.
Sept. 18, 2014
For better or worse, Big, Big Booty is here, according to J-Lo and Iggy Azalea.
