There are many things that make our bodies the way they are: genetics, diet, and exercise. The last time I checked there wasn’t a dictionary definition of how a woman’s body is supposed to be, or how much they are supposed to weigh. Everyone is different and those differences should be respected and celebrated.
Recently, I have come across two different body-shaming topics in the media. The first one was about Meghan Trainer and her song “All About That Bass” which bashes skinny or more slender women and praises women who aren’t a size two. One of the lyrics in Meghan’s song is “Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that, no, I’m just playing, I know you think you’re fat.”
Secondly, I saw actress Julia Klausner put down actress Zendaya for being too skinny when she saw her at the Kids’ Choice Awards. She tweeted “You don’t have to have an eating disorder to attend the Kids’ Choice Awards…. but it helps!”
I want to play reverse roles for a second. What if Meghan’s lyrics were changed to “Go ahead and tell them fat bitches that, no, I’m just playing, I know you think your skinny.” Or if Julia’s tweet was “You don’t have to be fat to attend the Kids’ Choice Awards…. but it helps!”? If those were there statements, whether in lyrics or in a tweet, they would be seen out of context and hateful. But because they talk about women being skinny and not fat, it’s okay to the world, and encouraged by viewers.
After reading those lyrics and seeing the tweets, my attention was drawn to the concept of women body shaming. Personally, I live a fit life. Eating healthy makes me feel good and working out clears my head. For me, it’s not all about loosing weight, it’s about doing things that make me feel better as a person. I shouldn’t have to change that about myself because of what the media says, and neither should you.
Eating healthy doesn’t kill you, wanting to be slender doesn’t matter, working out should be a personal choice and just because you’re skinny doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.
Women should understand and uplift each other, not bring one another down because of their body weight or appearance. SKINNY SHAMING IS JUST AS DETRIMENTAL AS FAT SHAMING. The idea that one woman’s body type is superior to another needs to come to an end. Look in the mirror. Whatever you are is beautiful.