Catcalling and body shaming both declare possession of a woman's body through different methods. Catcalling relies on aggressive compliments while body shaming reflects just the opposite, stating that a woman's body isn't good enough. They may seem like they are on opposite sides of the spectrum, but in fact they are directly next to each other. They sit side-by-side at the center of the patriarchy.

Both of these tactics reduce a woman's value down to her physical appearance. Her intelligence is obsolete, all that she's endured in her life is irrelevant, and nothing that she has to say could possibly be more valuable than the appearance her body. Catcalling and body shaming are reinforcing these false thoughts and insecurities, ultimately restraining us from our full potential.

It doesn't matter how you dress or what you look like. It breaks my heart that these things are considered a right of passage for young women and even girls. People believe that they are entitled to have and even share their opinion of another's body. How many times can we say 'no' before it's understood that it is never okay? No one should have to cover up or avoid dwelling in areas because they fear the attention their body shall attract. Ever. We can't compromise ourselves to co-exist in the world of our aggressors.

Our bodies are so central to how we perceive each other. Naturally, they can give us visual clues to give us a glimpse of who a person is or what they have experienced this far in their life. A person of defined musculature may identify as an athlete, or a person of a darker complexion will be able to identify as a minority and will understand the oppression that accompanies it. Our bodies can tell parts of our stories, but not all of it.

When we put ourselves under the microscope and compare ourselves to others is when we lose who we are entirely. Of course, the media plays a crucial role in this. Television shows do not reflect accurate representation of people of different backgrounds or body types. Consciously or unconsciously, these platforms are our point of reference when we set expectations for ourselves and others. When they do not match, turmoil occurs.

Personally, I have experienced body shaming and catcalling countless times . When I have been body shamed, often times it was directly correlated to my complexion. In the same setting where females lighter than me wore the same clothing, possessing similar physiques, only I was told that it wasn't okay for me to look how I do.

In much of the media we consume, the 'babe' archetype is typically portrayed as being white and if there is nudity, it's expected, or even considered a bonus. However, if this character is portrayed as a woman of color, it is edgy. If there's nudity, it is considered a shock factor and unfortunately, some view the body with disgust.

I do not like to say what we are victims. It hurts, yes, but we overcome it. How could we be victims if we are thriving? With time, we learn how to love our bodies and appreciate others'. Our bodies are our expressions and they carry the intricate stories we create. We are so much more than our bodies. That we can never forget.