How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
Emma Dabiri - ‘We are still so obsessed with how we look’
Apr 23, 2025
Emma Dabiri, a broadcaster and historian, dives into society's obsession with appearance and beauty standards. She critiques the influence of social media on self-image and embraces a more holistic understanding of beauty. Emma shares personal stories about feeling like an outsider due to race and discusses the complexities of identity, especially in relation to parenting. The conversation also highlights the importance of embracing failure as a path to authenticity, encouraging listeners to redefine success and beauty in their lives.
45:00
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Quick takeaways
- Emma Dabiri emphasizes the need to redefine beauty by valuing inner character and integrity over mere physical appearance, challenging societal norms.
- Her personal journey of navigating mixed-race identity highlights the complexities of belonging and the importance of community in overcoming alienation.
Deep dives
The Power of Literature
Books played a pivotal role in shaping Emma Dabbery's identity and perspectives from a young age. She vividly recalls discovering influential works, particularly those by Black authors, which were surprisingly accessible at the radical bookshop, Books Upstairs, in Dublin. Dabbery's early reading experiences not only provided her refuge from the challenges of growing up in a racially charged environment but also sparked her passion for writing. This foundational love for literature paved the way for her later success as an author of transformative texts addressing the complexities of race and identity.
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