For decades, the socially accepted beauty standard was something like blond straight hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and gapped legs. This image of perfection has been painted by Victoria’s Secret angels, runway models, and TV to the world for years. With the emergence of social media, this image gained popularity and spread across the world with women yearning to fit in the beauty size created by some brands. However, there seems to be a revolutionary change in the perception and women have started to reject this kind of body exclusive marketing.
The truth is we all want the perfect body, from the days of looking at Janet Jackson, Madonna, j-Lo, Beyoncé, etc we ladies want to look “perfect” according to what we see in the media. Nowadays we have artists and other entertainers out there that are promoting body positivity and I’m here for it! Imperfection is perfection. We are now proud to promote our curves, our stretch marks, hell and we are perfectly proud to promote all of our flaws because every other girl can relate to it.
I remember as a kid growing up in San Jose all my friends who are not black used to make fun of me for having a bubble butt and big breasts. I used to be ashamed of my body and I would roller skate outside and try to fall on my butt every day to flatten it LOL. Crazy I know but I wanted to fit in with everyone else and I wanted to have the perfect body. My hips were getting bigger and my body was developing quickly when I was 12 and 13. And I remember the media wasn’t promoting voluptuous bodies like they are today so I always felt like I was on the heavy side and disproportion when really I was not. But my surroundings made me feel that way because they weren’t used to seeing Black girls or black women.”
Now, people have been very uplifting and motivating to others and celebrating all body shapes and sizes. On social media, hashtags like “self-love” and “body positivity” trend to aware women who might not fit these traditional beauty standards. I have seen fitness influencers share candid shots of their natural bodies. The gist of all of this is to remind women that the media is not a genuine representation of women’s bodies.
I am so happy and proud now to show off my curves and my voluptuous stature. And thank you to all the lovely and beautiful black women who showcase their curves to the public to let them know that being sick or big is beautiful. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a couple of layers on your stomach or extra booty, as long as you know how to wear it. My divas please never let anyone tell you that your body needs enhancements or subtraction. Not to sound cliché or anything but you are beautiful just the way you are and play the cards that God dealt for you.
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