The Problem with Thin, White, Cis, Able Bodied People Posting Body Positive Pictures

The body positive movement has gained a lot of widespread attention all over social media the past year. And yes, this is an amazing thing! However, what I at first misunderstood, and what I think a lot of people did not realize, is exactly WHO the body positive movement is for.

The body positivity movement was made for people with marginalized bodies; those who have been discriminated against for their body. Think fat people, people of color and people with disabilities. If your body is already widely accepted by society, then you do not need body positivity. The movement was created to uplift bodies that are not accepted and to help those people feel better about their own bodies.

It was not made simply for people who feel insecure about their own body. (But do remember that this does not invalidate your own insecurities!) EVERYONE has insecurities, but marginalized bodies have insecurities ON TOP of societal oppression. Your feelings are always valid, but it is important to remember what the movement is for and why it was created. Fat black women created the movement for marginalized bodies.

It is important to understand this so that we do not accidentally claim the movement as ours and cause any harm to those who live in marginalized bodies. When we post pictures on social media with the hashtag #bodypositivity or #bodypositivitymovement , then we just see the body positivity movement flooded with pictures of privileged people with thin, abled bodies. This completely erases the whole point of the movement.

It silences the voices of those that need to be heard most. If we are privileged, then we must listen to those that are oppressed. We must do our part to support them and understand the movement.

And remember, not partaking in the movement does NOT mean that you do not struggle. You can definitely still struggle with an eating disorder, low self-esteem, mental health, diet culture, etc. Your struggles are still valid and you are just as worthy of body acceptance and recovery as someone within the movement.

So, if you are not a part of the movement, please use your body to promote body ACCEPTANCE and body LOVE and health at every size. Thank you!

*To learn more about the history of the body positive movement

*Cover pic from womanboss