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“The cycle of body-shaming needs to end,” Ashley James asserts.
Ashley James is fed up with the incessant debate surrounding body sizes that seems to dominate conversations around the clock, and honestly, so are we. The body positivity movement’s mission is to empower women, not to create divisions among different body types. In a heartfelt post for Lenny Letter, James shared her experiences with this issue, which she has faced firsthand.
This stunning model has graced the covers of major magazines, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Cosmopolitan, and Maxim this year alone. She has been a prominent advocate for increasing representation of diverse body sizes in the fashion world. However, she recently faced online backlash for what some perceived as a shift towards being “too thin.”
One critic commented, “I am so disappointed in you,” while another added, “You don’t make plus-size dollars anymore; you make backstabbing dollars.” A third person accused her of not loving herself, claiming she wanted to conform to Hollywood standards by being thinner.
James swiftly responded, emphasizing her expertise as a model who knows how to highlight her best angles in photographs. “I must be a magician to make people think I went from a size 14 to a size 6 in a week,” she wrote. “The truth is, I haven’t lost any weight this year. In fact, I’m heavier than I was three years ago, but I embrace my body as it is today.”
Ultimately, her size should not be a point of contention. It’s not our place to obsess over others’ appearances or to leave hurtful comments online. Whether she gains or loses weight is irrelevant. This applies not just to James, but to every woman out there. Each of us deserves to live our lives in the body we choose without facing negativity for it. Our bodies are ours; they are not up for public scrutiny. Personally, my wardrobe includes various sizes, reflecting the natural fluctuations in my weight, and that’s just life.
James pointed out, “No matter how many empowerment conferences, TED talks, and blog entries exist, women continue to tear each other down based on looks.” She noted that body shaming isn’t limited to telling larger women to cover up; it extends to criticizing women for working out or labeling “skinny” as a negative term. “It’s wanting me to be plus size or assuming I’m pregnant because of a little belly bulge.” Such behavior not only impacts those being shamed but also damages our self-esteem in the process. It creates a troubling environment for our daughters, nieces, and all young girls. “What kind of message are we sending when adults call other women ‘cowards’ for losing weight or ‘ugly’ for being overweight?” she questioned.
We need to stop wasting our time tearing each other apart. Instead of fixating on someone else’s jeans size, let’s focus on addressing the real issues plaguing our society—like homelessness, illiteracy, and climate change. The list is extensive and can often feel overwhelming. We would all benefit from channeling our energy into positive community advancements.
“We can’t effect change until we recognize and reflect on our own actions,” James said. “If you see a woman taking a selfie or posing in her swimsuit, uplift her; she’s embracing her own beauty. Don’t give her disapproving looks just because you think she’s too confident.” Why waste precious time and energy on negativity when we could be spreading support and kindness?
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In summary, body shaming in all forms needs to stop. We should promote body positivity and support one another, regardless of our sizes.
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