End Body Shaming
In her online video series, The OverExplainer, ESSENCE Editorial Producer Danielle Young
breaks down the topics that matter most to Black women. Here, in the inaugural
companion column for the magazine, she pontificates on loving ourselves no matter whatunacceptable. Now, cor-
rect me if I am wrong, but
those who hate fat people
generally snipe that a fat
person should do some-
thing not to be fat, right?
One way to fulfill that
objective is to work out,
right? Still with me? So
that means Nike offering
workout clothes for fat
people will make it easier
for them to exercise, thus
supporting good health
goals. This is a win for
everyone, so why object
to a sports brand
promoting workout sizes
for larger bodies? (Think
about this: Serena Williams
is what representation is
all about. Arguably the
greatest athlete of all
time, she has never been
a sample size.) And not
only is Nike selling work-
out clothes for larger
bodies, but it’s also promoting gear for people with
disabilities.
Rihanna also knows why representation matters.
When her Fenty fashion brand showcased mannequins
with larger busts and waistlines, it was hard not to stan.
Sis is constantly showing us that we all can pursue being
as fly as she is.
Having an array of humanity on display in
fashion, fitness and entertainment shouldn’t be hated,
protested and nitpicked to death. We need to erase
the idea that there is only one acceptable image—once
and for all.C
an we go ahead and
agree on one thing?
Body positivity does
not mean promoting obesity
or an unhealthy lifestyle. It is
simply the revolutionary act
of embracing the frame
we’re in—right now. This
mind-set is not only for
those of us who wear cellu-
lite like a badge of honor. It’s
for everyone. Every body.
Now that we’re clear
on that, I’d like to address
an issue that has caused
an uproar: the prolifera-
tion of size-inclusive man-
nequins. I’m shocked that
we’re just now starting to
see mannequins that reflect
real women’s bodies, but
I’m also glad the fashion
world has finally realized
that women fit clothes
outside the constraints of
a sample size. Seriously,
the average size of a
woman has long been above a 2! But I don’t think I need
to belabor that point. What folks seem to need clarity
on is representation. Why is it that people freak out
when diverse body types are displayed? For example,
when Gabourey Sidibe’s Empire character, Becky, con-
summated her loving relationship, many complained
that it was utterly disgusting to see a man make love to
a big Black woman.
Whether we want to admit it or not, mannequins,
models and actors help shape our perceptions of our-
selves. I’d like to believe the days of women wishing
they were skinny are over. Some argue that there’s
a thin line between being size inclusive and promot-
ing obesity. I say it’s time we make that line thicker.
When Nike unveiled its size-inclusive mannequins and
announced that its apparel would now include up to
women’s size 32, many of us rejoiced, but there was
a chorus of naysayers who insisted that this was justFor more from
Danielle Young in
The OverExplainer,
log on to ESSENCE
.com/videos.THE OVEREXPLAINER(^) V
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ESSENCE.COM I 87 I SEPTEMBER 2019