Knifed Up

Plastic surgery has emerged among white women as a means to achieve a standard of beauty made famous by America's first Barbie Doll in 1959 and echoed throughout Hollywood's most elite. Now, as pop culture remains oversaturated with these manufactured ideas of beauty, even African American women are susceptible to the repercussions of this ill-fated delirium. Knifed Up-The Evolution of Cosmetic Surgery explores the underlying causes and influences of the sudden growth in popularity among African Americans in recent years. Stars as celebrated as Nicki Minaj and her infamous booty, to Wendy Williams who proudly boasts of the 'work' she's had done, add to this mounting trend. Rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, liposuction, and the latest sensation known as a buttock augmentation are all among the most popular cosmetic procedures. Along with surgery, come health risks and even the prospect of death. Is the reward truly worth the risks and how susceptible are these clients to the addictive behavior found prominent among cosmetic clients? While African American women are going to these great lengths to obtain what they deem to be the 'ideal' body, could they be compromising their overall health and with that, the health and perception of the entire black community? Is our microwave generation too focused on instant gratification to work to naturally achieve their ideal body type? Or could even the ideal body type be so contrived that in reality it is simply unachievable? These questions and more will be answered in this in-depth examination of what happens when African Americans get Knifed Up.