She Strengthens

Embracing Body Positivity: The Good, the Bad, and the Year in Review

Growing up, I rarely saw bodies that looked like mine. Fat bodies were often the punchline, the villain, or a headless warning in news stories about the dangers of fast food and obesity. I longed to see bodies like mine represented in the media, but they were few and far between. This lack of representation led me to believe that my body was wrong, that I needed to change to fit societal beauty standards.

Fast-forward to 2019, and the landscape is shifting. We’re seeing more representation, more advocacy, and more research supporting intuitive eating and body positivity. But we still have a long way to go.

Body Positivity vs. Neutrality vs. Fat Acceptance

Before we dive in, let’s define some key terms. Body positivity is an umbrella term that encompasses various movements, including body neutrality and fat acceptance. Body neutrality focuses on accepting one’s body without judgment, while fat acceptance goes a step further, advocating for the rights and dignity of fat individuals.

The Good

• “Shrill” on Hulu: This TV series is a game-changer, showcasing a fat woman living her life without apology or weight loss journey.
• The Nike Mannequin: Nike’s plus-size mannequin is a step in the right direction, representing a more inclusive beauty standard.
• Macy’s Plates: Although initially problematic, Macy’s decision to pull their portion-control plates from stores is a win for body positivity.
• Washington State’s Weight Discrimination Law: This law marks a significant milestone in the fight against weight discrimination in the workplace.
• Jameela Jamil’s Activism: Jamil’s advocacy against diet culture and promotion of body neutrality has sparked important conversations.
• Calvin Klein’s Inclusive Ad: Featuring a plus-size model in their Times Square billboard is a bold move towards greater representation.

The Bad

• Beyoncé’s Extreme Diet and Exercise Plan: Reducing Queen Bey’s success to her body size undermines her talent and worth.
• Fat Thor: Using Thor’s weight gain as a punchline in “Avengers: Endgame” perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
• The Return of “The Biggest Loser”: This show’s reboot is a step backward, promoting disordered eating and diet culture.
• Kurbo App: This app’s focus on weight loss and restriction can lead to disordered eating in children.
• Adele’s Weight Loss: The media’s obsession with Adele’s weight loss reduces her worth to her body size.

The In-Between

• Jameela Jamil’s Campaign: While impactful, Jamil’s centering of her own body in her activism has drawn criticism.
• Lizzo’s Rise to Fame: Lizzo’s message of self-love and independence is inspiring, but we must acknowledge the privilege she experiences as a smaller fat person.
• Bill Maher’s Fat-Shaming: James Corden’s response to Maher’s rant was a step in the right direction, but perpetuated internalized fatphobia.

As we move into 2020, it’s essential to continue pushing for greater body acceptance and positivity. We must think critically about why body acceptance is still a hard pill to swallow, especially for those in larger bodies. By embracing body diversity and promoting inclusivity, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.