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Friday, March 11, 2016

*Real*


We’re hearing the phrase “body shaming” a lot lately. Putting someone (usually women) down about the shape of their thighs or the width of their mid-section or the size of their breasts.

I’m sorry but what the hell??!?

Why does how someone else’s clothes cover their body become a topic of concern for another? Why are we doing this to each other? In a society of “Be Nice” campaigns and “Random Acts of Kindness” suggestions, what even is this? I have a suggestion of my own…

KNOCK IT OFF!

Example: Barbie.
Barbie has taken a big hit in the last few years from over-sensitive people stating “she doesn’t look like a *real* woman!” Um, no, she doesn’t...because she’s a doll. She was designed to have little girls (or boys…(we wouldn’t want to offend anyone)) dress her up in fun clothes and brush her hair. I hardly think she was created to intentionally make young girls think she was the epitome of what you’re supposed to be as an adult. But if we’re going to go that route, then okay. Let’s take a look at Ms. Roberts (yep! She has a last name!), shall we? She’s held just about every career path imaginable, all while single, mind you, and has done it with a smile on her face. Why? I’m assuming it’s because she’s a strong, confident, single woman who happens to let Ken tag along when she feels he can be useful. And while we’re on the subject of Ken...why isn’t he being yelled at? He has washboard abs, plastic hair, and a spray tan. I don’t know a lot of guys that look like that. Why isn’t he offending anyone? And also...does anyone know what Ken does for a living? Looks to me like an exasperated Barbie is footing his bill, as well!

But I digress.

This conversation moves us into the purpose of this post in the first place. The *real woman* phrase that I cannot stand to hear other women say. Why, after how far we’ve come and how so many of us are treated in different parts of the world, do we allow ourselves to hurt each other like this? It’s deplorable. If you’re a woman, you’re real. Period. 
It doesn’t matter if your jeans are made with less material or more material. They hold a real woman. If your bones press against your skin or if you have rounded curves and edges, you are a real woman. If you’re married or divorced or single or gay or short or tall or average or successful or still trying to find your way, you are real. Your religion, your background, your mistakes, your triumphs, your tears, your pain, your laugh, your friendships, your heart. All these things make up the real woman you are.

Why are we letting a bias media dictate what’s real anyway? Doesn’t make much sense, does it? Just because it’s on television or the internet doesn’t make it true or real.
And we know this! So, WHY??? The internet is making us angry at each other. Large women are mad at small women and small women are mad at large women.
Why?!? Because we’re small or large? That’s stupid!

Friends, can we lift up instead of tear down? There is already too much hatred in the world as it is and for us to add to it because of the various sizes of our pants...is embarrassing.

Instead.
Strong. Confident. Intelligent. Kind. Encouraging.
This equals REAL.