Two of the more common topics of discussion around conscious women in relation to social media behaviour have been “body-shaming” and “slut-shaming.” Basically, the first is when people make insults in relation to a person’s body type – whether it’s too skinny, fat, marked etc – and the latter is when people criticise the target for either a real or presumed sexual act or “for behaving in ways that someone thinks are associated with her real or presumed sexual activity”.
Exhibit A: Kim Kardashian’s Nude Selfie
When Kim shared her nude selfie on Monday – you know the one – she got a whole lot of backlash about why, being a women with power, she would do such a thing. She responded to her celeb haters in a pretty epic tweet-athon, but to address the rest of the non-important population, she penned a letter.
Addressed to “guys” (super casual), she just wanted to lay down her thoughts on the matter:
Hey, guys. I wanted to write a post elaborating on my tweets last night. In all seriousness, I never understand why people get so bothered by what other people choose to do with their lives.
I don’t do drugs, I hardly drink, I’ve never committed a crime—and yet I’m a bad role model for being proud of my body?
Exhibit B: Kim Kardashian’s Sex Tape
It always seems to come back around to my sex tape. Yes, a sex tape that was made 13 years ago. 13 YEARS AGO. Literally that lonnng ago. And people still want to talk about it?!?!
I lived through the embarrassment and fear, and decided to say who cares, do better, move on. I shouldn’t have to constantly be on the defence, listing off my accomplishments just to prove that I am more than something that happened 13 years ago.
Let’s move on, already. I have.
But this, below, is everything:
I am empowered by my body. I am empowered by my sexuality. I am empowered by feeling comfortable in my skin. I am empowered by showing the world my flaws and not being afraid of what anyone is going to say about me. And I hope that through this platform I have been given, I can encourage the same empowerment for girls and women all over the world.
I am empowered by my husband, who is so accepting and supportive and who has given me a newfound confidence in myself. He allows me to be me and loves me unconditionally.
I feel so lucky to have grown up surrounded by strong, driven, independent women. The life lessons I’ve learned from my sisters, my mother and my grandmother, I will pass along to my daughter. I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman.
It’s 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming—it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me.
I am a mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, an entrepreneur and I am allowed to be sexy. #happyinternationalwomensday.
In solidarity, Kylie got on board. But she’s wearing clothes so no haters this side.
I’m not the biggest Kardashian / Jenner fan, but various aspects (like my sister’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians addiction and the fact that I have to cover them every other day) have led me to be very aware of what they do. And I can’t hate them for attracting the attention of millions of followers, but I will keep a level head and judge them like I would judge my best friends who released a short clip of themselves running naked through the escarpment. Some people are just down with the way their body looks and who are you to say anything about it?
[source: vogue]
