Body positivity has been the up and coming topic since roughly 2014 and now it's flowing into 2016. I've seen so many “body positive” blogs via tumblr and also the hashtag on Instagram. What exactly are behind these blogs and hashtags? Women who have 3 inch waists, no stretch marks or scars, shapely bodies with no flaws. Society sees that as being body positive. What Instagram, tumblr etc, fails to realize is that women come in different shapes and sizes. Body positivity to me is showing off those thighs in that bathing suit that you were so afraid to wear last summer because of the beautiful scars on your legs.
Where is the representation for women of all walks of life? We barely have that now. Finding a woman strutting her stuff with the same body type as you can make you feel like you can do it too. Body positivity should be something that all women can participate in without being fat shamed or ridiculed for being extremely skinny.
Is body positivity just for women? NO! It should not be just for women, as much as we ignore it men have body insecurities as well. Society's ideal of a male's body is very narrow minded as well. Have you ever seen a fluffy male super hero?! NO. Most of them are packed with muscles and chiseled chins. The average man is not shaped that way. Just like women, men also come in different shapes and sizes. Men have body insecurities too.
Body positive is for everyone who doesn't fit society's beauty standards. No one should be shamed for having stretch marks, scars or cellulite. Not everyone wants to promote slim tea on Instagram. Some of us love our thighs that touch together and cellulite that sparkles in the pool.
text: Imani Green
visual: Vicky Leta
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