For me, it started in the first grade.

For others, their second, third, or even earlier.

A little boy came up to me in the first grade and told me I was overweight. I didn't understand it at the time, but how could I really grasp it at the age of six? I was still struggling to comprehend basic addition and subtraction, so where could I find the space in my still developing brain to ponder over issues like this? I didn't understand completely, but there was one thing that came through loud and clear.

Apparently, I was wrong.

I was bad.

I was six years old.

It did not stop there, it never does. Flash forwards fifth fourth grade and I was absolutely delighted because I just entered into my first relationship. Looking back on it now, I couldn't really call this boy my "boyfriend" because we were too little to comprehend what people in a relationship should normally do. Our little legs were still too short to reach the gas pedals in a car and we got squeamish about holding hands, let alone go on a date. Never the less, I was happy to have a boyfriend and I liked him very much and I believe he liked me as well.

One day, he came to me and told me something I will never forget. His peers (I'm not quite sure if they were his friends or not) have been teasing him. I was appalled and worried for him and quickly asked why they had been teasing him. Surely it couldn't be something too terrible.

They were teasing him over me.

I was the point of mockery.

Apparently to them, I resembled a Looney Tunes character with a stutter a little too well and they were not afraid to tell my boyfriend their opinions.

I was ten.

Though they may seem insignificant at the time, something to forget about in the passing days filled with child-like wonder at the world, the fact remains that these memories last. I can still remember every detail of those memories, and I am not including similar moments that happened just like these. I remember every little memory, every time someone sneered at me, or made a passing snide comment. Just like scars, these memories take a long time to fade.

Given that fact, why do we still do this to others?

Words that cut others down, that tear apart other people instead of building them up are completely devastating to others. You may think you are being funny or cute when you tease a person for their weight, no matter if they reside on either end of the weight spectrum, but it is not. These words can damage others. If not through physical ways by making others feel the need to go on crazy outrageous diets, then it is through psychological ways. I can personally tell you for a fact that this type of negativity is damaging to a person's self-image.

This is not right.

If your words are cutting other people down, making them feel awful about themselves without offering a bit of constructive advice, then they should remain unspoken.

I know, some people will say that I am "promoting an unhealthy lifestyle" with all of this type of talk, but you have to look at it from a different way. I agree that health should be taken into consideration during any point of any person's life. In order to live a happy and long life, it is good to make sure you are in tip-top shape. However, you need to keep in mind that everyone is not the same; your standard of health is different from another person's standard. Factors like height, genetics, bone structure, and more go into determining what is considered healthy. Snowflakes are not all the same and neither are people.

Besides that point, shaming a person for their image is not going to lead them to make healthy choices. Outright name calling and harassment is only going to cause misery and is definitely not going to motivate anyone. That being said, if you are concerned for someone's health, it is better to talk to them in a positive way. Hear what they have to say, and have a civil conversation. If you come out swinging, the other person is going to feel abused and attacked.

Body shaming should be a shamed action in our society. It is not funny, it is not helping anyone. I stand strongly by this because I care about those who are struggling with their body image.

A six year old should be harassed for their body image.

No one should.