KOCHI: Getting type-cast based on one’s physical attributes is demeaning and bull-dozes a person’s confidence. It is cruel. The terms like the dumb blonde, fatso etc are criminal. Of late the term body shaming has gained much prominence, with it being discussed everywhere especially on the social media platforms. However, those who have come up openly against body shaming form the minority.
In a move that sets an example for not only their peers but also the society, the students of Chinmaya College Tripunithura launched a campaign against body shaming. They called it #everyBodyisbeautiful. The campaign was launched by the students of the Department of Communicative English.
The campaign was mooted by their professor S Sreeja. “When she proposed the idea we didn’t realise its significance. However, a news report on the apprehensions shared by the director of the movie Tharangam regarding the messages he received about the colour of the actress Santhy Balachandran became an eye-opener. We decided to go ahead with the campaign,” said Jayalakshmi S Babu, student coordinator of the campaign.
The campaign #everyBodyisbeautiful was launched on the social media on November 10. The campaign will conclude towards the end of this month. An interactive session will be held on the concluding day. “Our campaign received support from not only the general public but also the celebrities. I think people are beginning to react against body shaming,” added Jayalakshmi.
Expressing his support for the campaign, singer and actor Shabareesh Varma said age, gender or complexion doesn’t determine a person’s beauty. “Your uniqueness is what defines you. So always stay positive about your physique and spread the spark of positivity,” he added.
In a video message supporting the #everyBodyisbeautiful campaign, actor Ahaana Krishna said a person’s body is like a beautiful temple. “So if you love your body then everyone else will start loving you,” said the Njan Steve Lopez actor. Some members of the campaign said a majority of people who are into body shaming will say they did so just for fun. “Whatever the reason be, trivial or serious, they never take into consideration how their actions will affect the person at the receiving end. People get hurt. Everyone wants to be and feel beautiful. So an offensive comment won’t be of any help. It rather leads a person to develop low self-esteem and even leads them to inflict harm on themselves,” said Megha Rajesh.
Supporting the campaign, actor Hareesh Peradi said beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. “So what is beautiful to me may not evoke the same feeling in another individual. Beauty lies in the perception of people,” he added.
The campaign has so far garnered a lot of support on the Facebook. The students are also promoting the campaign on the Instagram and other social media platforms. “No to body shaming and yes to body positivity, that’s our motto” reiterated the members of the team #everyBodyisbeautiful.