The inspiration for this article not only comes from the media but also the insecurities of one or two of our own staff members. There's been a lot of talk in the last several days about Lady Gaga's change in body. Well, Lady Gaga took on this critism and made her own new comeback announcing she's dealt with bulimia and anorexia since she was 15. Her new campaign, Body Revolution, aims to end shame. Crimson Love reports.
We admit, it's kinda funny that it's slightly ironic, though, that a thin lady is talking about body shaming & body positivity?
***
What is body shaming?We have been living in a day and age where we are taught to be ashamed of what we have, who we are and what we are if it's not the standard or "better". In the media we see a lot of body shaming (criticism of others for not having the "perfect" body).
We see a lot of famous stars getting the brunt of this negative attention which, trickles down to regular society. You may think that it's alright for famous stars to be held to a higher standard or, for overweight people to be told to loose weight. But why? Because famous people are supposed to be beautiful and someone needs to tell the overweight people the truth about how being big is unattractive? No!
What's the problem?
When we partake in the dismembering of someone's looks we are perpetuating a standard of what we think people should look like, in addition to belittling their talents and them as a person. Our aesthetics-based society is allowing us to objectify men, women, and girls and by doing so everyone is expected to meet unrealistic standards.
We have created an environment that is not safe or conducive to self love and appreciation. Women and girls fall so hard in these situations and turn on each other. Instead of helping and encouraging one another, we join the media in the age old patriarchal bashing of our feminine figures in all of their beautiful variety. And for what? It accomplishes nothing and does more harm than good by giving everyone a complex. Being healthy is important but that doesn't mean everyone needs to be lean stick figure. Who do we need to please but ourselves?
Stopping the cycle
The good thing is that in recent years we have seen a huge turn around in the fight against body shaming and looks based discrimination. Companies like Dove started their Real Beauty campaign to showcase women of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. In 2010, Dove launched the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem which allows older girls and women to help mentor younger generations and together celebrate beauty. Earlier in 2011, Vogue Italia had their own campaign about real beauty and femininity. They featured spreads of some of the most beautiful plus sized models in the industry.
The more we learn and celebrate what real beauty is all about, the more we can help tear down these unrealistic expectations and diminish the increasingly dangerous body shaming problem.
Celebrate you!
With love from, GetLusty!This is a guest post by our very own Crimson Love.
Crimson is our resident BDSM fetish expert. If you don't see Crimson out dining with her adoring boyfriend, you'll find her reading books on innovation or finance. Crimson is currently finishing off her Bachelor's, she is passionate about food, photography, music and especially sex--and she's not afraid to talk about it. With everyone!
Have story ideas? Get in touch with Crimson Love at amber@getlusty.com.
