Body Image

I really hate the attacks on women and girls for our bodies. In the recent 10 years, I feel as if body image has gotten even crazier though! Nine year olds are dieting and sweatpants everywhere express the "juiciness" of our asses. Am I really living in a world where some of the MOST brilliant women aren't taken seriously because they're not drop dead gorgeous? But wait, if they are drop dead gorgeous, then they aren't taken seriously because they're too good looking! With me so far? Good, me either.

Do I think men have examples of negative body image in the media? Yes. Do they feel pressure? Sure. But it's not at the same level as women (not yet anyway). I'm actually terrified to have a daughter one day (no, not the birth part) because I don't know how to raise a completely healthy girl in this world. Even I the quintessential bad ass worries about her not so flat tummy at times (okay, more than at times).

I started getting really pissed off with myself and all the reasons I feel this way. And that's why for New Year's, a time where we're all told we need to diet, I am making a feminist resolution to truly love my body. I'm doing it for the future (verrrrrry future) daughter who might ask me one day if I love my body just the way it is. I'm doing it for my friends who I have watched first hand battle eating disorders. I'm doing it for the girls in the youth group who are beautiful inside and out. I'm doing it to combat the media and bullshit double standards that actually KILL women and girls. But most importantly, I'm doing it for me. I cannot afford to spend one more minute staring at my body or feeling self conscious. I don't know if you know, but ass kicking and world changing require my full attention!

So, my request for women everywhere is to join in my resolution of positive only comments about our bodies. And men? Please don't say nasty comments about women's bodies this year ("sweet ass" is a nasty comment too, douche bag).

If you're struggling with body image, Full Frontal Feminism is always a good book to awaken the goddess within!