Alright my people, gather around, please. This is going to be a really short one, maybe not, but I will try. I want to talk to the people who choose to argue with people’s bodies and not the actual argument. On countless occasions, I have witnessed twars turn into body wars, when someone hits a jam during an argument their only solution is to zoom into the other persons avi and pick on their features. What is the reason!? How did our conversation about feminism or masculinity become about my humps and my lovely lady lumps?

This behaviour really bothers me and I think it stems from the fear of not wanting to be wrong. You fear to be called out on your bullshit during the people and so you will do whatever it takes to come out on top of the argument no matter what. Why are you afraid of learning? Every conversation is an opportunity for you to hear another perspective and re-evaluate your opinion. Fun fact: Did you know that you can acknowledge the other person’s opinion and walk away. It does not mean that you have lost anything, opinions will differ and that is fine.

I want to tell your story with you, many of us have been body-shamed and have overcome. Let’s help the next person overcome by sharing our experiences. If you are interested please visit the Body Conscious page to learn more and sign up. Every story counts!

You can argue that some opinions are harmful and need to be addressed, I agree with that. We need to heal the world and I do believe that it is one word at a time. So use your knowledge and your words, cut the bullshit. Resist the urge to ‘win,’ by being rude, arrogant and body shaming. Address the issue at hand and exit the chat, stop undressing people’s avis. Outside of this being VERY unnecessary, it also makes you seem like you do not know what you are talking about, you start to look like booboo the fool. What happened to your argument, why aren’t you just making your point?

Let me step on the other side of this for a minute, to the people who cheerlead the body shamers, you are to blame too. Your kikis and reposts make them feel like they are powerful and have won the argument when all they have done is hurt a person because they did not know how else to carry the argument. Y’all excuse it and call it banter. Call it what it is, body shaming. It’s all fun and games until you are the one on the receiving end, isn’t it? Stop encouraging this nonsense, it is damaging.

The point I am making is none of us should be doing this. Calling someone ugly, fat or dark does not prove your argument. I also need you to know that sometimes it is enough to educate someone and leave them be. If you get into every argument knowing that nobody likes being wrong you will spare yourself the stress. Give them what you got, tell them you respect their opinion and walk away. I promise you they are going to think about what you said and question themselves in their own time. There is no need to stoop low and chime into body shaming. Be a good sport! CIAO!