We only today published an empowering article about why we should eff society’s beauty standards and wear shorts and skirts even if we don’t have slim legs up to our armpits – so it was serendipitous to come across a Facebook post by a mum who was shamed for doing just that.
Brynne Huffman shared the incredibly powerful post after a woman in a shop queue complimented her hair, but in the same breath said, “You probably should rethink the shorts though”.
“Women,” she wrote. “Please, I beg of you PLEASE do not tear each other down. There is so much hate in the world right now. Rape culture. Hating Islam. Hating LGBTQ. No more hate.
“Today I put on a pair of mid-thigh denim shorts, a flowy white blouse, flip flops and left the house to run a couple errands.
“Let me pause for a moment to tell you it took some courage to both purchase and wear said shorts because my legs, while tan from swimming and muscular from dancing, are (1) not where I would like them to be and (2) are not up traditional beauty standards (read: Photoshopped) because cellulite.
So when that stranger delivered her devastating edict, Brynne’s shock and upset was replaced with anger.
“All I wanted to do was go home and change my clothes,” wrote Brynne. “And THAT made me angry. Gender doesn't matter. Race doesn't matter. Religion doesn't matter. Sexual orientation doesn't matter.
“But fat? Apparently fat matters. Listen, people. Especially women. Plus sized doesn't necessarily mean unhealthy. Plus sized doesn't necessarily mean lazy. Plus sized doesn't mean ugly or undesirable or untalented or uncoordinated or LESS. THAN. HUMAN.”
We are right behind Brynne. No woman should ever have to cover up because she’s not a ‘perfect’ size eight, and no woman has to right to cast judgement over another person’s body.
“You might have an issue with my body,” she finished. “I don't. And I've worked very hard past judgmental family and friends, past divorce, past depression to NOT have an issue with my body. Women. Do not tear each other down. Celebrate each other.”
Hear, hear!
