New York Times Summer Reading Contest（writing1）

“Lena Dunham and the Spanx Liberation Movement”

I bet you can’t find a better-proportioned body like mine: thick back, thick waist, big bottom. Yes, every ounce of fat seems to be evenly distributed, straight from head to toe.

I have never experienced fat shaming, at least none that I can recall. I am blessed to have friends who don’t think less of me because of my body. I don’t give much thoughts to my body, though sometimes I feel distressed about not being able to buy clothes that flatter my body.

So when I read Lena’s statement that “making clothes for bigger bodies doesn’t mean just adding more fabric or cutting the waist wider,” I can’t agree more. She understands so well the dressing needs of girls like me, and I can’t wait to see her collection.

But at the same time, with her platform, she could have done so much more, for example, urging more girls like me to lose weight. Don’t get me wrong: girls like me should never be shamed into losing weight in drastic and even morbid ways. There’s nothing shameful about our bodies as they are right now. Losing weight is not about shame, but self-care.

Yes, girls can have bigger bodies, but we have to admit that obesity can lead to a lot of health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. The Body Positivity movement can’t be just about putting us in the right clothes to boost our confidence; it is ultimately about loving ourselves, including our most precious health.