Body Shaming, especially within social media, is a rising epidemic in our community, and the younger generation is reaching out and having their voice heard.
Multitudes of communities have been formed where people, girls and guys alike, are able to share their experiences and receive help.
#KreugerKindness is particular is a hashtag that was coined after a fitness instructor was body shamed on Instagram after posting a picture in a tighter fighting dress while attending a wedding.
She stated in the description of her Instagram post: “If only I knew that choosing this dress for wedding on a 90 degree day would mean so many woman would be outright rude to me, and even coming up behind me slap my ass as I’m standing alone.”
As quote “it was a dare from her friends, because I was a target.” She went on to say “good thing for thick skin, being able to laugh at things and not take it personally, and good friends/hubby by my side”
Later, she posted a picture collage of another victim of “body shaming” when it came to their outfits. She stated, “two different situations, two different occasions, two different lifestyles, two different body shapes, but one thing was the same: we are both women. We both have hearts, we both have feelings, we both deserve respect…”
She created a hashtag #KreugarKindness to spread awareness of body shaming and to utilize social media to inspire women to embrace themselves and have the freedom to wear whatever they want and to embrace confidence. The hashtag spread like wildfire, as women would use it in their personal social medias to create a network of women who inspired each other.
On the original post, a lot of commenters argued that it wasn’t necessarily body shaming, but inappropriate attire for a wedding. Some commenters even brought up since weddings are considered holy matrimony, attire should be conservative since it’s a religious event.
Some even argue that it’s feminist for a female to dress in a certain way and not have any retaliation, as a man that would wear inappropriate attire would have the same reaction.
Others argued that since she is considered “in shape” in the eyes of society it’s more appropriate to condemn her choice in dress, whereas if a heavier set shapely woman were to wear the dress it would be more acceptable because otherwise comments would be targeted at her weight.
Confidence, loving yourself, and accepting your body for the way you were made are trending topics in the united states right now, with the dove campaign and many others, and this is a prime example of how woman should embrace herself and feel freedom of expression.
Although there’s valid points for her attire, it should also be noted we live in a day and age that is growing more accepting to every style, shape and way of life.
