Hi, girls,
Most of us, in the words of Jenna Marbles, are “magical creatures.” The bonds we build amongst each other are for life. Our best friends feel like our sisters. We can be smart, logical, beautiful, and nurturing creatures. Most importantly, we are powerful. I’m beyond proud to identify as a woman in this day and age. We can do so many damn good things to this world. And, we always know how to have a great time doing so.
However, there are times when we have all been guilty about saying something rude about another girl that we wouldn’t say to their face. Everyone makes mistakes; however, it’s a completely different issue when we talk about girls whose hateful speech is continuous, unprecedented, and vicious.
I’ve had girls make fun of my skin color and hair color. I’ve had girls make fun of my behavior when I’m actually happy, and I’ve had girls make fun of some of the psychological issues I face. I’ve had girls make fun of my weight and how I dress. I could continue this list, but it wouldn’t do anybody any good. My point is that mean girls exist, and your words hurt.
The issue with slander is that it’s often simple-minded, and it’s impossible to take back. If words get back to a girl, or she overhears you, you’re instantly incriminated. And, honestly, you should be ashamed of your behavior; it’s beyond trashy. Nobody will ever like you more or think you’re a greater person if you decide to trash talk another girl.
Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss. It’s hurtful. Ninety-nine percent of the time, you’ll never know the full story as to why a person is the way that they are. You never know who might be listening on the other side of the door, and you never truly know what the girl you’re attacking might be going through.
If you call a girl fat, it’s not only fat shaming, but it can discriminatory. Many medications, especially those that treat severe depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and panic disorders, have a strong side effect of weight gain. So, that girl you were just making fun of? She was brutally raped when she was 13 years old. She hid it from the world for four years until she finally got the help that she needed. And, when she started to get medicinal and therapeutic help, you were there to make sure to document every single pound she gained. When you attack a girl who may be deemed as “fat”, you could easily be making fun of many more complex psychological disorders. Regardless of intention, the law sees it as discrimination at its finest.
Maybe you think that girl with no friends is a total freaky loser. Turns out, she recently lost a parent in an accident and has had difficulties trusting people since. It’s an inexplicable pain to have loved ones ripped out of your life. I would wish the same pain on you, but nobody deserves that. I will not stoop to your level.
That girl you think has a hideous face? Hey, guess what? She’s probably already very insecure about it. AND, she’s probably freaking gorgeous, but your image of beauty is so narrow that you can’t appreciate it. She’s probably spent thousands of dollars on makeup trying to get people like you to stop saying things like: “oh god, her face makes it look like she was born in a wind tunnel”.
Maybe certain girls act “weird” when they’re happy because happiness is a foreign feeling to them. Maybe some girls wear more makeup than others because it makes them feel good. Maybe that girl dyed her hair to an unnatural color because she wanted to do something bold that would make her feel confident about being different. Maybe that girl you’re talking crap on, maybe you actually don’t know her at all.
So, girls, think before you speak. Words hurt, and they can’t be erased.
