I was recently interviewed for a Q&A piece for USA Today College. Check out the full article here: "Plus-size student fashionista embraces, promotes Fat Acceptance Movement"
Q: Simply put, what is the Fat Acceptance Movement?
A: The Fat Acceptance Movement empowers plus-size women to embrace their curves and love their bodies. Curvier women have not been represented fairly in the media or in society. This movement provides plus-size women with a community, strength and the inspiration to love the skin and body they are in.
If the same football team goes to the Super Bowl and loses every year, then comes back to win the next year, that is what it feels like to be a part of the Fat Acceptance Movement. I feel like plus-size women are the underdogs. We have been neglected in the media, in magazines and in fashion, but now with the Fat Acceptance Movement we are finally winning. The movement has gained so much momentum through social media and I am so proud to be a part of that.
However, there is a crucial point that needs to be made that isn’t being discussed as much as the movement itself is. That point is “body positivity.” The Fat Acceptance Movement’s mantra is about having a positive body image and self-esteem by loving and embracing your curves, which translates to “body positivity.” Recently, powerful women in the music industry have been coming out with songs shaming skinny women and condoning plus-size figures. There are also social media posts following in those footsteps. Women need to realize that society and the media have scrutinized the female body image — no matter the shape or size — since we have existed.
We are women. We need to stand together against the harsh scrutiny and societal beauty standards that every single one of us face every day. Plus-size women do not need to put down skinny figures, and skinny women should not put down plus-size figures. Instead, we need to acknowledge that a women’s shape comes in many sizes, each one beautiful in its own way.
