Its a funny world that we live in, when tissue behind the nipple makes it nudity. We are constantly telling girls from a very young age to respect themselves and their bodies. Which is definitely not a bad thing, but I think the way weve gone about it is very, very wrong. I have deep insecurities that start from me not being able to wear a bikini in public unless Im thousands of miles away from home to refusing to change in a locker room at the gym and choosing an enclosed shower or bathroom stall instead. After a victory from the Seahawks at the Superbowl, I ignored a man who very violently kicked my ass when I declined to sleep with him who just randomly stopped me on the street. When I was no older than 10 and looking at the fish at a pet store, my sister and I were followed by an old man touching himself and when I told the store employee, I was asked to find my parents and where mom was instead of the older man being escorted out. When dancing at a club (which I never do), a man I never made eye contact with came behind me and reached his hand down my pants. I chose to leave instead of retaliating, because I knew what would come after. How were you dancing? You looked like you wanted it. When wearing a skirt above my knees, I walked faster past a group of men catcalling me and calling me a c*nt when I ignored the vulgarities and names they thought would be flattering. As any women knows, this happens on almost a daily basis. Regardless of shape, body type, age. When trying to drink a beer in peace at a bar, I would lie about having a boyfriend because men chose to respect a man they never met more than the woman politely declining their invitation. Ive been taught that womens breasts can sell beer, lingerie, perfume, diet products and shower gel but feeding a hungry baby on the subway makes people uncomfortable. Ive learned over the years that while I respected my body- my body wasnt respected by others. Maybe it was too many tequila shots, maybe it was higher shirt, maybe it was just being a younger girl being at the wrong place at the wrong time. While having all these opinions shoved down my throat on what makes a classy lady, I learned to be ashamed of my body. And those scars still grip me when I pass a crop top jealously or pull down a skirt obsessively. I know these are situations all of you have faced as well. And when these situations occur, I dont think its a lack of us respecting our bodies or ourselves. I dont think sleeping with a magic number (which, who decides that anyway?) of people, a certain length of skirt or having boobs that feed human beings is the deciding factor on respecting your body. Your body is yours. Your body is your home when your are homeless. When you are cold and rub your hands together, it gives you warmth. It shows the world a smile when you are happy and gives you life for every moment you are here. We are all born naked and we are the only species that clothes ourselves. Stop blaming victims. Stop calling people ugly. Stop calling girls sluts. Realize that respect is about how we treat others, how we treat ourselves and how we treat the world around us. Life is a beautiful thing. Respect yourself by not allowing others to own the body you live in.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 04:13:42 +0000
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