This is an ode to the ugly girls.

This is an ode to any girl who ever once thought of herself as ugly.

This is to the girls who hate looking in the mirror — and the girls who hate being in pictures even more. The girls who un-tag themselves on social media after picking apart every piece of their appearance till they’re disgusted. The girls who post selfies, then delete them later to post another that has a better angle, a better lighting, one that cuts away the double chin, one that hides the pimples and blemishes.

This is to the girls who are never the “pretty friend.” For the girls who get the awkward “And I guess you’re cute too,” at the end of a friend’s compliment so as not to offend. The girls who get the “nice smile” and “nice personality” with those smiles that stretch too far and hurt. The girls who search out girls “uglier” than them to feel good.

The girls who turn to harsh criticisms to feel something.

The girls who are taken aback by nice compliments. Girls who have never learned to take compliments. Girls who hide their faces at smiles and nice words.

This is for the girls who are too skinny, too fat, too tall, too short, too much butt, not enough breast, or too much breast and not enough butt. Girls whose noses are too big, eyes too wide apart, foreheads too large. Hands too small and feet too big. Arms too long, legs too short.

For the girls who have ever been called ugly for skin color, eye and nose shape, lip width. Girls who have lived their lives being called ugly for their hair and culture.

This is for the girls who stay up all night with a fear of always being alone. Who spend endless hours wondering what in their life they can do to take away the pain of living life alone, plausibly. This is for the girls who never had a boyfriend, and believe it’s because of their looks. Girls who have never been kissed. Girls who have never been touched.

This is for the girls who take years to be okay with themselves. For the girls who never learn to be okay with themselves. This is for the girls who come to terms with a life alone. And for the girls who have yet to, or may never, come to terms with being alone.

For all of these girls, I say, screw 'em.

You know what beauty is? A standard created by a society ruled by men. Men who seem to think that “pretty” women who compliment them are the only women who deserve to be admired. Men have created the thigh gap, men have created the need for shaved legs.

Men have created bullying.

You’re not beautiful, not at all. Instead, you’re strong as hell, you’re resilient. You’re gorgeous.

Why be a conventional beauty, when you can be outcast gorgeous. Embracing eyebrows that grow too large, yet just right. Loving the pudge that hangs over the top of your undies, flaunt it. Maybe you can feel your ribs beneath your skin, and possibly see them too, but if you’re healthy, what does it matter to anyone else? It is your body.

And what do bodies have to do with anything? Why care about another’s body when you can care about the art they are creating from their very own heads—the science they discover on their own with their very own hands.

This an ode to the ugly girls who are the strongest people on this planet.

These are the girls who believe they aren’t good enough to get things easy, so they try harder. When they have job interviews, they create bolder resumes. These are girls who write beautiful speeches to rival whatever flaws the true ugly will pick from them as they stand on a stage in all of their glory.

These are the girls who change the world with their words and their actions.

Ugly girl, you are the ruler of the world. The queen.

But the thing is, ugly girl, you’re not ugly, no matter what other people tell you.

But maybe it’s your turn to take back “ugly.” Take back “fat,” take back “stick thin,” take back “butterface” and “butterbody.” Every hurtful thing uttered either to your face or behind your back in elementary school, high school, college, and beyond, take them back.

Take them back, make them beautiful. When someone spits one of them at you, embrace it, flip your hair, stare them down and ask, “And?” Make them compliments. So next time someone tries to get under your skin, they won’t be able to find a way in.

Ugly girls, I applaud you. Ugly girls, I am you. Ugly girls, I love you.

I understand that coming to terms with things that have been hammered into your brain, sometimes your entire life, is hard. It took me most of my life before I felt comfortable, even the slightest, in my own skin. I am on your side, and I, along with so many others, will walk with you on the path of learning to love this vessel given to you on this earth.

There are so many things that your mind holds, they deserve to be seen, and believing you’re ugly should never stop that. It should enhance it. Because guess what, not only are you smart? You’re smart and gorgeous, and honestly? F*ck the haters.

You want to take selfies? Take them. Take as many as you want. Take them whenever you want.

Blow up social media with your face and your voice because that is what it is there for.

You have an army behind you, ugly girl. We’re waiting.

We will stand hand in hand, and remind you, whenever needed, that you’re beautiful in every way.

So, ugly girls, stand your ground.

Don’t let the true ugly people stand in your way.

They’re insignificant after all.

You’re the one who holds the power.

I love you.