Blind demons, demigod twins and werewolves with OCD are referenced in Sami Schalk’s book about bodyminds. Bodymind, the concept of overlap of the body and mind and how they influence each other, is integral to Schalk’s book “Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and Gender in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction.” The work addresses how the idea of bodymind and categories of race, gender and disability are intertwined, arguing that disability studies can help scholars better understand black feminist theory, Schalk said. Read more...

Photo: Sami Schalk, an assistant professor of gender and women’s studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will discuss her book “Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and Gender in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction” on Wednesday in the East Rotunda of Powell Library. (Courtesy of Sami Schalk)

Afshan “Affy” Hussain went from scheduling a breast reduction consultation to promoting natural approaches to breast growth. The third-year neuroscience student said she struggled with back pains and ill-fitting clothing but began seeing her body differently after being approached by other women saying they admired her figure. Read more...

Photo: Third-year neuroscience student Afshan “Affy” Hussain founded Nari Company, a business that sells oils, bars and guides to enhance natural breast growth. The approaches are not backed by scientific evidence – instead, they were passed on through generations of her family and have shown results, Hussain said. (MacKenzie Coffman/Assistant Photo editor)