Perusing CNN’s website, I came across a report condemning Calvin Klein’s new “Perfectly Fit” campaign featuring a 27year old attractive model, of “normal” proportions, displaying their plus sized underwear. I knew nothing about this size dysmorphic controversy until I read how this narrow-minded advertising spread led to an onslaught of backlash being spewed all over twitter. Apparently Victoria Secret also recently stepped on the “over-sized” toes of women with their “Perfect Body” campaign.
I do not agree with body shaming at all. No one has the right to judge another, as we are all uniquely imperfect beings following the path that was meant for each of us. It does blow my mind that national brands would alienate a huge (no pun intended) part of the population with their blatant discriminatory practices but being a for-profit company, I understand their short sighted need to maintain their original branding.
Being a less than “Perfect Body” woman, I recognize the anger and frustration these false ideals of women’s bodies insight in my sisterhood. But these images are everywhere; TV, movies, magazines, pop stars. Should I hide under the covers and hope that one day, these media moguls will see me as the “Perfect Body?” Or can I choose to celebrate the woman I am, mind body and spirit, and ignore these outside entities that do not represent me?
Being dismissive of these unobtainable fashion icons did not come easy and sometimes it’s a struggle. After years of endless improvement campaigns and unrelenting self-deprecation, I realized that I am not going to wake up one day and be a 5’10 blonde with a 24in waist (especially since I a 5’ and red headed). And who is to say that she is any happier, wiser, more loved or smarter than I? Acceptance was my answer. Do I accept these narrow-minded versions of what it means to be female? Absolutely not and that is my choice. I choose not to financially support companies who engage in discriminatory behaviors that pretend to know who I should be or how I should look.
There will ALWAYS be outside entities challenging my self-worth through words, thoughts, images, and behaviors. But this cannot be my concern because if I allow these forces to dictate my self-image, I will be buried in unrealistic fantasies of how life will be when I am who they say I should be.
So here’s a thought, how about I celebrate me NOW?!?!?!?! Live in gratitude for what I have, who I am, the love that surrounds me, and the endless opportunities available to be of service to the world. It’s a lot easier to accept what is versus fighting what isn’t. I want to live now, not if and when I become the “Perfectly Fit” underwear pseudo plus-size pixie plastered in the New York Times. Because that day may never come and that is coolio with me!