Below is the transcript from tonight’s conversation. So sorry for tonight’s technical difficulties, still learning how everything works. I made sure to include text from what was missed in the recording.
Transcript:
Welcome back! And welcome to the 2nd episode of Let’s Chat on The Pink Caboodle Podcast. How has your week been? What have you been up to? My week has been amazing! I celebrated my 27th birthday, had a good time with friends just hanging out and relaxing.
Good times. And here we are already to another weekend. Time goes by fast when we’re having fun. Leave a comment in the chat box to let me know what you’re weekend plans are. I’m starting to gear up for theCURVYcon, so I think I’m going to spend this weekend going through my closet and seeing what outfits I can wear.
If you do not know about theCURVYcon, you must check it out. It is a two-day event hosted by CeCe Olisa of Plus Size Princess and Chastity Garner of Garnerstyle…it’s all about embracing our bodies, embracing our curves while doing a little shopping and taking part in panels.
The panels are going to be epic this year. There’s a lot of big named celebrities and bloggers that are joining the conversation this year. Whitney from my big fat fabulous life is going to be there, which I can’t wait for, my mom and I are HUGE fans of her show. Also, one of my favorite bloggers, GlowPinkstah is coming to theCURVYcon…so excited to possibly meet her. Yeah, in short, theCURVYcon is something that you have to experience at least once in life…and this year it is during New York Fashion week, so it is going to be pretty epic.
You know, I say this all the time, but I can not stress the importance of representation. It is such an amazing experience to be surrounded by women with similar and varying body types, celebrating who they are. One of the things my mom taught me growing up is that our bodies are temples. They are gifts, and deserved to be celebrated.
That’s what theCURVYcon does. It is such an encouraging and uplifting time. If your struggling with your body image, or experienced body shaming, I highly recommend that you join me at this year’s theCURVYcon. I’ll leave a link in the chatbox for you to check it out.
Speaking of body image and body shaming…this is a topic that has been on my mind literally all week. All week. Especially with everything thats been going on with Usher in the news lately.
For those of you who don’t know, Usher has been in the headlines. He is being sued by several people who say he allegedly had sexual relations with them, without disclosing that he has an STD. Of course this is all allegedly, he hasn’t made a statement on his health. But what really caught my attention, and really upset me, was the instant denial that people had, that this story could not possibly be true…in my opinion, simply because one of his accusers is a plus size women.
When scrolling through facebook, and looking at comments, I was shocked by how many people said “this couldn’t possibly be true, Usher would never get with that.” That. Like she wasn’t a human being. He couldn’t have slept with her, she’s not his type. One person even went as far as to call her a beast.
The attention quickly went from being about STDs, to the incredulousness that Usher might have been with a plus size women. And meanness behind peoples words.
It was really disheartening.
Not just for this woman, who was judged primarily for her looks, and not for her evidence. But also for the many women and young girls who will see themselves in her. Who have similar body types, like I do. Big arms, big upper body.
My heart broke for those women, but I could clearly see how that internalization of low self-esteem begins. With situations like this. With comments like, he would never be with someone like her. She’s fat, not his type. That can easily change to, he would never be with someone like me. I’m too fat, I’m not his type.
These are words that I’ve said about myself. Where I disqualified myself because of my size. I know how hurtful this can be to one’s self-esteem. And to be honest, I had to kind of reaffirm myself, reminding myself of my value regardless of my size.
So it bothered me to see that pattern repeat itself, knowing that there is someone out there who was going to internalize it.
Body Shaming is not okay. Regardless of how stupid or funny it may be. Jokes at the expense of someone’s feelings are not funny. But I realize that a joke, or a mean comment, is always going to be made.
So how do we overcome this? How do you personally combat body shaming? I want to hear from you! Call in, the number is 347-560-9086. Let’s Chat…how you you overcome body shaming? Call in to let me know, the number is 347-560-9086. Feel free to call in if you’d like to share your thoughts…let’s chat.
While we’re waiting for calls to come in, check out his song from singer Pyrnie Sade. She is an artist out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Here she is with her song, Show Up.
Not included due to technical difficulties:
Alright, we are back and taking phone calls, answering the question, how do you overcome body shaming.
One thing that I do is Speak Positive. I’m a firm believer in the power of positive affirmations. Speaking Positively about yourself.
You know that saying, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?
Well, words do have the power to hurt. Words are powerful. But just as they have the power to hurt, they have the power to uplift and make you feel better. Which is why I feel it’s so important to speak of encouragement to yourself.
So for me, that’s waking up each morning, saying I love you. You are smart. You are worth it. You are valued, and just repeating those words of positivity into my life.
What about for you? What are some ways that you overcome body shaming?
I’d love to hear from you, feel free to leave a comment below, letting me know your thoughts.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Go do something fun!
