#WeWearWhatWeWant: Why should plus-size women not have all the fun?

Twitter user Simone Mariposa recently started an internet campaign encouraging all plus-size women to share their images in whatever piece of clothing they liked to fight negative stereotypes. She started the trending hashtag after reading the story of a girl who was body-shamed in public transit. Obviously, this isn’t the first time a plus-size woman was a victim of fat-shaming. This also isn’t the first time the internet was taken over by fat women raising their voices against their constant battle with the age-old convention.

Your approval isn't necessary. #WeWearWhatWeWant pic.twitter.com/JWpilh7Qs6

— me, a fat 🦋🇬🇾 (@SimoneMariposa) July 23, 2016

Fat, a word that was never supposed to be used in a derogatory manner. It was not supposed to hurt the sentiments of people who are, in fact, that. It is not a cardinal sin to have a body that’s not model size (whatever that size is). But we can say these words a hundred times over, and it still wont’ change the stigma that overweight people face on a daily basis. So, if you read the word being overused here, it’s because we want to take pride in being called fat. Or rather, take pride in being who you are, however you are. We have had numerous instances in the past where plus-size women have come out, embraced their body and fought the pigeonholing this society somehow does not seem to get tired of. Take Ashley Graham for instance. She was the first plus-size model to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated, giving hope to many young women that you don’t need to be a skinny stereotype to be a model. [caption id=“attachment_2921172” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Ashley Graham in the Sports Illustrated cover. [/caption] In recent times, Selena Gomez was body-shamed by an Instagram user who made offensive remarks about her weight. Gomez, in her graceful response, posted a photo of herself in a bathing suit with the caption, “I love being happy with me y’all #theresmoretolove” While we’re talking about bullying, let’s take another example where Empire actor Gabourey Sidibe was fat-shamed over her sex scene in the show. The star took to Twitter to address the comments, “I, a plus sized, dark-skinned woman, had a love scene on prime-time television,” adding, “I had the most fun ever filming that scene even though I was nervous. But I felt sexy and beautiful and I felt like I was doing a good job.” Here’s what this looks like from a non-biased person’s perspective: we failed to enjoy a steamy sex scene, because we were busy hanging onto our perception of how intimacy should conventionally involve two perfectly shaped bodies. However, things are looking up. There are some days when we genuinely wonder if the pressure of perfection will ever end. But slowly, we are stepping out of it. [caption id=“attachment_2921186” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Melissa McCarthy at the premiere of “The Boss”. Reuters[/caption] While launching her fashion line, Seven7, Melissa McCarthy, in one of her interviews said,  “People don’t stop at size 12”.  Shopping should be an enjoyable experience for fat women just as much as it is for the perfectly fit woman, and the Spy star’s fashion line definitely gives all sizes the space to do so. The end goal is to make it easier for fat women to be accepted without being/feeling sorry about themselves. That is what we need to step toward: empowering all sizes to embrace their bodies just the way they like it. The growing voices towards positive body-shaming is an important step in this direction. We need a Jennifer Aniston to type an open letter about the objectification of women and the fundamentals that weave around it. We need #WeWearWhatWeWant to trend more often because this fight will define, or rather change, the perception of the society we live in. We need to stop talking about Serena William’s nipples and focus on the fact of her being the number one woman tennis player. We need Parineeti Chopra to not fall prey to convention or rigorously work out to shed her weight to be a “ real role model ”. [caption id=“attachment_2921202” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Parineeti Chopra. Instagram[/caption] Lose weight if you think that’s important for your health. Lose weight if “you” hate your body. Do not lose weight just because someone thinks you should look a certain way. Most important, be yourself first and then a perfect version of someone else, later.