What is the meaning of the word ‘body-shaming’? What is the origin of the term?” This query is from a student studying in Vijayawada. Let me discuss this interesting word in this week’s column. Look at this conversation between Sweeta and Smila:
“Hi, Sweeta. Did you speak to Vimala today? She was quite upset in the morning. After lunch she didn’t attend classes. Do you know why she was upset today?”
“Yes, Smila. Vimala was and is still quite upset. This morning she was body-shamed by her boyfriend. His nasty comments made her quite upset…”
“Body-shamed? What do you mean?”
“Body-shaming is the practice of criticising someone for being too fat or not having a good or desirable body shape or frame.”
“Is it a commonly used term?”
“This term is being widely used these days. There have stories about celebs who were body-shamed”
“Is it wrong to body-shame someone?”
“Yes, it is. It is a sort of discrimination. How will you will feel and react if someone makes negative statements about your body shape? Will you feel happy if your boyfriend has negative attitudes toward your body frame and expresses such attitudes by making inappropriate comments?”
“I do maintain my body well and I am neither overweight nor underweight. I have no excessive fat in my body. So, I’m not going to get upset if someone body-shames me.”
“Don’t be so proud, my dear. After marriage, you may start gaining weight at such a level that is neither desired by you nor liked by your hubby. Then, your own friends and relatives will fat-shame you and you will object to their fat-shaming comments.”
“Fat-shaming? What do you mean? Is it different from body-shaming?”
“Both ‘fat shaming’ and ‘body shaming’ mean the same. Not only are fat people body-shamed but even skinny people are body-shamed. A few months ago, Amitabh Bachchan’s granddaughter was body-shamed for being too skinny.
No one has right to shame anyone for their body weight. I hate body-shamers who have the habit of policing other people’s bodies and making nasty comments. Fat-shaming is very common in India these days and we should raise our voice against fat-shamers.”
“I do understand your anger, Sweeta. How would you react if you were body-shamed by someone?”
“Smila, do you imply that I am getting a bit round? If anyone body-shames me, I will sue the person?”
“You will sue the person? Is it such a crime?”
“I am just echoing the words of actor Vidya Balan. When she was asked to comment on body-shaming, she said, ‘If anyone comments on my weight when I’m pregnant, I will sue them. Be it a publication or an individual. My weight is nobody’s business.’ Is she not right?”
Dr Albert P’ Rayan
is an ELT Resource Person and Professor of English. He can be contacted at rayanal@yahoo.co.uk