Body positivity’s origins were significant as it really began a conversation around the fact that we come in all shapes and sizes… and that it’s OKAY.
However, much like many conversations that focus on the under-represented, the body positive movement has been co-opted and evolved into something that is barely recognizable. And that ain’t cool.
Thankfully, plus size blogger, Stephanie Yeboah of Nerd About Town spoke to that very thing via an epic Twitter thread that summed it all up perfectly.
As a background, British personality Louise Thompson recently released her new book entitled, Body Positivity. The problem is, it has less to do with celebrating the beauty of different body types and more to do with showcasing diet tips.
NO. NO. NO!
Thank goodness for Stephanie. She rightfully went IN.
“Body positivity is/was a movement that was created to celebrate bodies that were seen as outside of what is conventionally attractive. More specifically: fat bodies… Body positivity is NOT about celebrating the diet industry.”
As such, Stephanie reiterated that she prefers to embrace the term “fat positivity” so that we don’t sugarcoat around the fact that these are the types of bodies this whole movement was originally created for.
It’s why we need sites like The Curvy Fashionista or spokespeople like Stephanie. When we create safe spaces and give voice to the voiceless, it is supremely frustrating when the loudest wants to take over THAT space, too.
Enough.
Whether you call it body positivity, fat positivity or make up your own like “curvy positivity,” it shouldn’t be twisted to mean the total opposite of what it originally stood for. That is a disservice to the many types of bodies that exist and will continue to exist in this world, whether society is comfy with it or not.
Stephanie, you rock! We fully support you and we hope that we continue to maintain a platform that celebrates fat acceptance, unapologetically.
Make sure you follow Stephanie on Twitter at @nerdabouttown!
She is right but that is what happens when the mainstream discovers things.
I am looking for her tweets now and she got a particularly nasty attack from a man who called her a “fat gorilla ass” because she expressed her preference for dating tall men.
The funny thing about this is its exactly what happened to feminism. Feminism was at its most radical about the liberation of women and girls (females) from male domination and violence. Shortly after the 1960s it became about having women embrace male violence and sexual norms as “choices.” If being a housewife with no education feels right for you go for it! The sex industry is women’s best friend! Sexual-reproductive enslavement is liberating! It’s not surprising fat liberation has taken the same path. The diet industry is a fat person’s best friend and liberator! You’ll notice dieting, exercise, wearing make up/high heels/feminine accoutrements and fussing over appearance etc are all not questioned or questionable. It’s all about “whatever makes you feel good!” not asking WHY being thin and wearing make up makes a woman feel good.