Plus-sized model Ashley Graham recently posted a beautifully put essay on lenny.com. Graham openly discusses her "damned if you do; damned if you don't" complex she is receiving from numerous fans. She talks about that while she is happy regardless of her own weight, that people are always and very publicly shaming her for her size.
Graham goes on to discuss how social media has given her a platform to share her body activism. Even though she remains to have thick skin in a cut throat industry like fashion, she reminds both fans and "haters" alike that she is human, too. She goes on to post that in her latest Instagram photo she received copious amounts of messages like this:
"I am so disappointed in you."
"You don't make plus-size dollars anymore, you make backstabbing dollars."
"You don't love the skin you're in, you want to conform to Hollywood, you believe being skinnier is prettier."
"You used to be a role model and I looked up to you."
The only thing that was most definitely changed in the image was the angle it was taken at and Ashley fires back at the comments that were made in regards to her "new" appearance. She takes up for herself and shares that while the angle was exceptionally well done, nothing about her body has truly changed. She accepts her body for how it is and even goes on to talk about her workout videos she has published in the past.
While others tend to think she is "selling out" and becoming too skinny, others are on the total opposite side of the fence and say she is "promoting obesity" and Graham calls for the body shaming cycle to finally end.
She describes in detail that body shaming is not just simply telling someone they are "too fat or too skinny". It could be just by telling her she needs to embrace her plus-sized roots or shaming her for going to the gym. Ashley goes on to provide even more valid points by saying,
"What type of example are we setting for young girls and their self-esteem if grown adults are on Instagram calling other women "cowards" for losing weight, or "ugly" for being overweight?"
Graham states that while she might be bringing awareness to the plus-sized community and making women connect with her on a personal level, that she refuses to be defined by her curves. She says that because she has been given a platform she wishes to use to for the better.
As a reader, I do agree with what Ashley has to say in her essay. Last week I wrote an article, "Why I Love The Skin I Am In" so I love how she promotes body positivity for everyone. I agree that women need to stop dragging other people down based solely on their outward appearance. I do not feel that it is fair at all that we have to label ourselves. Why do I have to label myself as plus-sized or fat? Why can I not be me. I am caring, I am loving, I am unique.
One of the great things about being a women is that we come in all different shapes and sizes and we all deserve to be able to appreciate each type. Can we (women mostly) stop dragging each other down and making ourselves feel shameful of our bodies and accept that everyone is not made from the same mold?
When will the media understand that just because I carry my weight differently than a very petite girl that we are equal? Why is society telling young girls what size pretty is? Why can we not just base beauty on your character? I think having a bright and fun personality is beautiful. I think being able to be loud and funny is also beautiful. I think the most important message in Ashley Graham's article is to be you and embrace others uniqueness, too.
