Looking at the topic in this way is important because it begins to explain how one human could possibly do this to another. The acts done onto Baartmann were incredibly horriffic and inhumane, so understanding why it happened is vital in making sure it doesn’t happen again. Particularly, looking at the forms of media used to depict Baartmann shows viewers the extreme overaggerations the French used as propaganda. This helps Mitchell make the claim that the commidifaction of Baartmann was due to political unrest. Using these images, the situation takes on a political and cultural tone as opposed to an explanition of racism. As such, the commidification of Baartmann cannot be explained away with the idea of “outdated racism” (where that was just how people were in the past and things have chanaged, so it should no longer be a discussion topic). Instead, Mitchell pushes readers to understand this through a lense history and psychology, making sure the discussion remains applicable to todays world. Especially considering a large portion of Western society feels we are too progressive for anything similar to happen ever again, it is important to frame the conversation in a way that cannot be argued as inapplicable. 

As a way to extend this discussion, I would like Mitchell’s analysis to take a deeper dive into stereotypes. There is a heavy focus on the ways in which the French steryotyped African women, however I’m curious about the counter. In what ways did Baartmann stereotype the French, and how did it differ from the way she was stereotyped? In what ways did French stereotypes entice Baartmann into this situation, and how did those stereotypes differ from the reality of the situation? Although not vital to the conversation, I am curious about how those aspects played into the overall outcome of Baartmann’s life.

References for Parts 1-2

Mitchell, Robin. Vénus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth-CenturyFrance. The University of Georgia Press, 2020.