Event Hosts (left to right): RL Taide Acevedo, CC Shanice Peters, and RL Asia Reid.
Photo by Laura Elebensunu
We live in a world today where the media can easily corrupt us. It can easily make us believe that if we don’t have a thigh gap we’re not beautiful or if we don’t have big breasts we’re not desirable. It’s unfortunate that ever since we’ve been exposed to the media that we have to live up to these expectations. Her Campus Manhattanville partnered with Spellman Resident Leaders Taide and Asia to put on an uplifting event call The Beloved Body.
Wednesday night, Spellman Lounge was filled with around 30 young girls who had no idea what they were in stored for. The event started off with an introduction to Her Campus by Campus Correspondent Shanice Peters. She gave insight to the new club on campus, the mission and what she believes students can benefit from it. “This is a web page for students, by students, and for an entire community of college students all over.” She expressed while showing the Her Campus Manhattanville webpage of the projector.
The activities started with Cross the Line which is a strip of tap down half of the room and students on one side of the line. Because of the huge turn out, students took both sides of the line and simply placed their foot on the line if they agreed with a statement. RL Asia read out statements such as “Place your foot on the line if you wish you had big breasts.” She also read out more uplifting statements such as “Place your foot on the line if you love your smile.” While you would believe many girls put their foot on the line, many held back. Afterwards some ladies shared their thoughts and expressed that they were not always confident in their smile or their laugh. At that Asia simply said “I saw you all laughing just a few seconds ago and I think you’re beautiful.”
After the activity there was a video shown with statistics about body image and the media. It was a powerful video showing the bodies of Victoria Secret models, magazines and even some of our favorite celebrities. Afterwards CC Shanice and RL’s Taide and Asia individually covered three different areas that are important for humans. Mental, physical and emotional. Each of the hosts shared great information about the subjects. They got raw and personal, sharing stories for their lives that effected them emotionally, physically or mentally. There were tears, but in the end each host showed strength and reminded everyone in the room you can come out through anything. “I’m 21 and I think I’m pretty damn fabulous.” Shanice said to the crowd who all applauded.
Mirrors and cupcakes given at the event.
Photo by Shanice Peters
Everyone in the room felt close, sharing openly with people they don’t know about their own struggles. By the end of the night, everyone knew they weren’t alone. Each participant received a heart shaped mirror and wrote words of encouragement on them. “Write something on here to keep you going; to remind you that you are indeed beautiful.” RL Taide reminded them. Each girl also received a cupcake to enjoy too. “You can enjoy a piece of cake! Go ahead!” Asia encouraged the girls to all have one.
This was the first event held by Her Campus Manhattanville and it was a huge success. There is talk of doing this event each Fall semester for new incoming students.