Despite this, the movement has attracted a wide array of criticisms over the past few years.
But this time, they were also on posters, on commercials, in magazines.
So it was, for the lack of a better word, a complete breakthrough.
God & Man
But it wasnt for at least another decade until body positivity reached its tipping point and entered the mainstream.
It was physically impossible.
But youd keep spending as much as you had to to get to attempt to get there.
The media machine didnt create body hate.
It just exploited it.
Not that women like that dont exist: they do.
In fact, you could find any number of them on your Instagram explore page right now.
Their empowerment is not a facade, either.
But many argue that body positivity has made that harder.
These are the principles of the body positive movement:
All bodies are good bodies.
There is no inherent moral ascription to the size, shape or color of a body.
Diverse and marginalized bodies should be represented as an honest and meaningful reflection of how people really look.
It is wrong to judge, shame, ridicule or punish people based on their body.
In a worse scenario, it perhaps even vilified thinness.
Historically, the opposite has happened.
What is it that will guarantee I am loved?
Not most people, anyway.
And certainly not those who would assume that shaming them is an appropriate tactic for maintaining their health.
If only people felt as strongly about healthcare as they did fatness.
If only they spoke up as much about public policy as they did fatness.
If only they rallied against bullying the way they do fat bodies.
If only they believed being judgmental was as bad as being fat.
If only they worked as hard at being empathetic as they did at being thin.
Whether or not the day in which that kind of self-awareness will arise is yet to be seen.
It would only decrease their will or at the very minimum, their quality of life.
If its true that hurt people hurt people, its also true that insecure people shame people.
These sentiments arent coming from people who are empowered and self-confident.
The body positivity movement is not about picking and choosing which bodies are good, and which are bad.
It is not about glorifying one and condemning another.
It is not about advocating for self-acceptance above healthfulness or rational thinking.
It is not about only accepting those who are healthy and beautiful.
It is not about trying to decide who is healthy and beautiful.
It is only remembering that everyone is imperfect, yet everyone is worthy.
