16/07/2024
"She just called me fat,"
I want to talk about a moment that happened recently and could change the world if we let it. Audrey, whose three called someone close to me, 'fat' the other day. Now, before you gasp or shake your head, let me tell you: in our house, 'fat' is not a bad word. It’s just a descriptive term, like tall, short, curly-haired, or freckled.
And you know what? It's time we all start seeing it that way. Because, yes, you can be fat and still be beautiful, sexy, confident, loved, and worthy. In fact, you already are all those things.
And I’m not saying you can’t feel hurt if someone calls you fat; feelings are valid, and every experience is personal. However, the way we internalize it, the emotions and judgments we attach to it, that’s where the real conversation begins, and this experience was able to open that line of conversation.
So, how do we change the narrative? We start by embodying that change ourselves. We, the parents, the mentors, the teachers, the influencers, need to strip 'fat' of its negative connotation and fill it with the respect and neutrality it deserves. We teach our kids, not through hushed corrections or avoidance, but through proud examples. We show them that beauty and worthiness are not confined to a single body type. We celebrate diversity in every form, from the runway to the classroom to our own dinner tables.
Empowering photo shoots, inclusive conversations, and unapologetic self-love are the tools we wield. We must be loud, passionate, and unwavering in our message that everyone, regardless of size, is deserving of love and respect. Let’s be the voices that drown out the whispers of insecurity and self-doubt. Let’s be the change-makers, the narrative-shifters, the warriors for a world where 'fat' is just a word, and love, beauty, and confidence are boundless and universal. Our children are watching, learning, and ready to carry the torch. So let’s light the way with our unwavering belief in the power of everybody.
***irphotographer ***irphotogtapher