I’ve recently seen a tweet where someone praises Jennifer Lawrence for “shutting down body shaming” by saying:
“I just think it should be illegal to call someone fat on TV… Because why humiliating people is so funny?”
– Jennifer Lawrence
And it intrigued me because why do we even consider “fat” as an insult? Is it some kind of shame to be fat?
I’ve seen people in schools insulting each other by “fat” or “you should lose some weight” or “do you do sports?”, and it makes me so mad I just want to punch some people in their stomach. Because it has become a label, and this is not okay.
I’ve also discovered this hashtag on twitter called #FatMicroAgressions, and reading all the tweets pains me so much. Here are some examples:
“You have been doing yoga for 12 years?!” Yes and I’m probably more flexible than you. #FatMicroaggressions
— Betsy Hathaway (@betsaronie) 26 March 2015
“You could be so beautiful, if you weren’t that fat” #fatmicroaggressions
— Mrs Bumblebee (@MrsBumblebee_) 25 March 2015
Being told your wife is attractive w/ the questioning voice tone clearly implying “how did YOU attract such a beauty?” #fatmicroaggressions
— Phil Prehn (@philprehn) 12 December 2013
I’m always wondering why our society has made of “fat” an F-word, an insult, while it shouldn’t be one at all. Being fat is just another body shape, just like ANY other one.
Why should we be afraid to praise all the body types? Why is it so hard to do so? Why should we be hiding because of our shape?
Is it so shameful to be other than perfectly curved and skinny? The answer is: no. Absolutely not. In my opinion, there is no “perfect” body shape. Every single person has her own body, and it makes her unique among the others.
That’s why I have a message to you, teen readers out there: you shouldn’t be ashamed of your body. Fat is just one out of many examples. Always keep in mind that you’re important. And HOW EVER you are, you should know that you are loved. Don’t be ashamed of how you look. These are just looks, after all. Accept yourself, love yourself, and be yourself. I know it’s really hard, but please try. Don’t let some little things get you down. You shouldn’t care about people mocking your body shape, nor you should insult other people’s bodies. Because it’s simply not good.
