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Sami Schalk

Sami Schalk is an associate professor of Gender & Women’s Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race, and Gender in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction (Duke University Press 2018). Schalk is a fat Black queer disabled pleasure activist who loves fashion, cursing, and writing.

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Sami's Latest Articles

Photo of Sami laughing while posing with an illustration of Black breasts from inside Janelle Monáe's gatefold album held over her own chest.
Pleasure Practices: Welcome to the Age of Pleasure!
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Pleasure Practices
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July 7, 2023

Janelle Monáe's latest album invites us to explore physical and sexual pleasure of all sorts.

A photo shows a block of Hooks’ 20-year cheddar, a block of Brun-Uusto baked cheese, and a spice shaker labeled “7 Chili Blend.” The items are arranged on a wood table, with a purple vase in the background.
Pleasure Practices: Get thee to a farmers’ market
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Pleasure Practices
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June 9, 2023

Taking joy in a Madison tradition we often take for granted.

Photo of Sami (right) smiling with her longtime friend Sarah at one of Sami’s book tour stops.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Reconnect with friends
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May 12, 2023

When intimacy holds up despite time and distance.

An illustration shows the pink, blue, and white stripes of the trans pride flag at an angle, emanating from a pink and blue megaphone at the bottom of the frame. An array of vivid pink and blue flowers and green leaves appear to explode outward from the megaphone. Text in the foreground of the image in large block letters reads "DEFEND TRANS LIVES."
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Support trans joy
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Pleasure Practices
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April 7, 2023

How to help as trans people face unrelenting attacks across the country.

Weird cute kawaii spring prairie scene featuring a smiling orange sun, a waffle rainbow, and a peanut butter bee. A cute inari sushi wearing a bear hat is screaming “CA-YOOOOT!” with love at the sun.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Make it cute!
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Pleasure Practices
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March 17, 2023

The value of embracing adorable things.

Dr. Sami Schalk is shown seated in a chair on a stage during a recent book tour. She is holding a microphone in one hand, and is smiling towards the camera as she wears a fluffy purple dress.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Black joy
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Pleasure Practices
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February 17, 2023

"We recognize that pleasure is an experience of freedom and also a measure of it."

An illustration by Rodney Lambright II shows the face of the column's author, Dr. Sami Schalk, smiling against a rainbow background. In the foreground are a sandwich, a cup holding a steaming hot beverage, and a stack of books on which the text "Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk" appears. Two candles sit on top of the books.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Spice up your life
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Pleasure Practices
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January 20, 2023

In these winter doldrums, reach for a flavorful kick.

The author and her partner pose with a peacock made of lights at the Henry Vilas Zoo.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Lean into lights
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Pleasure Practices
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December 9, 2022

Embracing the comfy cozy glow of the holiday season.

Sami's partner, Jess, a masked white non-binary person with pink hair and a red checkered shirt with jeans holds Gravy Rae, a small black and white dog in a jean jacket along with two advent calendars, one with dog biscuits and one Dolly Parton-themed.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Countdown calendars and daily delights
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Pleasure Practices
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November 18, 2022

Many twists on an advent tradition, for you and those you love.

The author is shown posing in an apple orchard and wearing a red outfit with long billowy sleeves.
Pleasure Practices with Sami Schalk: Apple sitting
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Pleasure Practices
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October 21, 2022

A leisurely fall trip to the orchard, plus a pie recipe.