Everyone has struggled with body image at some point in their lives. This can be partly attributed to the unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media. People are body shamed for how they naturally look. The media portrays beauty as being strictly size 2 blondes. This is a completely false representation of the beautiful, diverse women that make up America.

Recently in the news, there was a story about a reporter being body shamed for having curves. News reporter, Demetria Obilor was body shamed due to her chose of clothing and how the clothes fit her body. Ms. Obilor was shamed on social media by a viewer who felt that she wore clothes too small for her curvy figure.

When in reality Ms. Obilor was by no means fat or obese, but rather had a shape that filled out her dress. She should not be shamed for wearing clothes that are her size but fit her differently than someone who has small hips, butt or breasts. The viewer was blinded by a false sense of what beauty consists of.

But the unrealistic beauty standards go beyond size and body shape. Hair texture/ style and skin tone are also portrayed with unrealistic standards. Light skin tones are regarded as “better” than dark skin tones.

Ethnic women who wear their hair naturally curly or in braids are viewed as having dirty hair or “bad” hair. Ms. Obilor was also a victim of hair shaming.

A viewer emailed the news station to express her displeasure with Ms. Obilor’s hair, saying she believed her hair can’t be “properly cleaned” and “must smell bad." Comments like these reinforce the false ideals of beauty that so many people see and believe.

We need to make a conscious effort to value ALL skin complexations, hair textures and body shapes. We need more women in the media who actually look like and represent the diverse country we live in.

We need to create media platforms that portray beauty and body image in a positive light or else we will have a future generation of children with low self-esteem.

Beauty can’t be simply defined. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.