Why Body-shaming?
While I was out in the center of Athens with my friend Danae, I asked her about a social issue that has affected her. Within seconds she answered “body-shaming”.
Body shaming is something that everyone has experienced more or less. It makes it impossible for one to feel comfortable in their skin as some or maybe even all of their features and body parts do not correspond with society’s ideal. Thus comes the need to change them or be forever shamed for having them. I asked Danae, why body-shaming is an important issue, as miss Betty Tsakarestou has instructed us. She answered that It is an issue that requires more attention to this day and age. I asked her again and again until she had replied to five “Whys” in total.
After returning home, I asked myself the same five questions and while comparing my answers with Danae’s, I realized that even though we answered the same questions our approach was different. I focused more on why body-shaming is happening on a psychological level, while Danae emphasized why it is important and its consequences if not solved.
I then searched for an organization that aims to fight body shaming and found “Body Positive”. According to their website, their ultimate goal is to help people create a positive image of their body and themselves with a team of specialists and consultants.
After reading about their actions and philosophy, I answered the five whys according to the information I gained and yet again realized that the answers had a contrasting character to both mine and Danae’s. Instead of pondering about the consequences and finding the cause, they were more directed towards action and solving the issue.
By comparing the answers it was clear that solving a social issue requires a collective effort from people like Danae and myself, who cannot do a lot alone but are aware and affected by it.
The poster I created consisted of two photos, one with a colorful map and a picture of women of different sizes and ethnicities, along with the message “A world where body-shaming does not exist. A world where we accept each and everyone’s different colors and uniqueness”.
Take a look at the other members of Project W :
A big “thank you” to our professor Betty Tsakarestou
