Skinny Shaming Doesn’t Matter

Remember that catchy but overplayed fat girl anthem that Meghan Trainor put out? And remember the wrath of the ever-oppressed skinny white girls that like, totally wanted an Instagram model ass, but couldn’t gain weight? Remember when people deluded themselves into thinking that being “too skinny” was in anyway comparable to not being able to fit on a seat or through a doorway or not being able to find clothes in stores that fit you- never mind flatter you? Me too.  And for some reason, this pathetic, self-absorbed attempt at social activism has reared its ugly head back into my newsfeed.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m no fat acceptance advocate, and I don’t think that any shaming matters. Fat shaming, skinny shaming, slut shaming, selfie shaming- it’s all a hot heap of liberal garbage and it’s all in your head. You’re in control of how you feel about yourself, and you have a lot of growing up to do if you think otherwise. It’s no one else’s job to coddle your ego, and you don’t get to demand approval from anyone.

But to pretend that being “too skinny” is anything like being overweight in the United States of America is like comparing a sprained ankle to a leg amputation.

Maybe someone teased you. Maybe boys pay more attention to your voluptuous friend when you go to parties. Maybe a manatee on Facebook posted a meme about bones being for dogs and curves being for men.

You win some you lose some, but if the largest obstacle you’re facing in life is being “too skinny,” you’re winning a lot more than you’re losing, and you should be thanking the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that your most serious struggle is posing awkwardly to make you look like you have a shape.

Everyone should stop complaining, but people that care about skinny shaming never should have started. There are people that are too skinny because they can’t afford to eat more than once a week. There are people that are too skinny because they’re going through chemo. There are people that are too skinny because they’re anorexic. To put things in terms you can understand, check your privilege, and shut up.