An Open Letter to Men Who Body-Shame Women

I’m no man-hater, but sometimes men can be the absolute worst. In fact, there are men out there who truly believe they have the right to criticize and do whatever they want with women’s bodies. Society has conditioned them to believe that our bodies have come into existence for their pleasure only. Let’s not forget, marital rape wasn’t considered a crime in all 50 states until 1993 – good lord! We might have made a lot of progress over the past few years, but we still have a long way to go – case in point: recent disgusting comments regarding Rihanna’s so-called “weight gain.” 

Last week the idiotic bros behind garbage sports site Barstoolsports.com (which I refuse to link back to), decided they were going to fat-shame Rihanna. The misogynistic post included a recent picture of RiRi walking with her bodyguard and was tilted “Is Rihanna Going to Make Being Fat the Hot New Trend?”

https://twitter.com/iSmokeBritney/status/869608798788272128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fobserver.com%2F2017%2F05%2Fbarstool-rihanna-fat-shaming%2F

The author of the post, Chris Spags, not only fat-shamed Rihanna but expressed his concern over her cultural influence leading to a world “where all the hottest girls look like the humans in Wall-E. And just in time for summer too.” The post, which has since been removed, was followed by a ton of criticism by proud feminists and loyal Rihanna fans.

It’s hard to wrap one’s head around the idea of someone fat-shaming Rihanna. The woman has one of the most bomb ass bodies in Hollywood, but some dudes really are douchebags.

The post was disgusting, but sadly not the first incident where a man harshly criticizes a woman’s body.  A few months ago Piers Morgan thought it was okay to offer his unwarranted opinions regarding Kim Kardashian’s butt cellulite. “Flaws should not be celebrated,” he said during a discussion on Good Morning Britain. “My thoughts are, she’s just launched her new emoji of her backside next to an ashtray – which she’s called ‘ass tray’ – so I think her posterior is fair game.” Seriously, how gross is that?

During this year’s Super Bowl, a lot of folks seemed to have something to say about Lady Gaga’s midsection during her epic halftime performance. She executed an entertaining spectacle in front of a massive audience, yet people were consumed by her stomach. It was ridiculous, to say the least.

I don’t know about you, but I’m hella tired of hearing men who think they have the right to tell us how our bodies should look. I’m beyond exhausted by these men who believe our bodies are ultimately for their viewing pleasure. You know, the fellas who point out a girl’s cellulite or chichos in disgust. It’s usually the same dude rocking a dad bod, who hasn’t hit the gym in months, and who’s balding in his early 30s like you wouldn’t believe. Well, this letter is for him.

Dear entitled man who thinks he has the right to criticize a woman’s body,

You see this beautiful bomb ass body right here? It belongs to me and ONLY me.

It was not created for you. It was created as a place to store my sacred soul.

This body is not for your pleasure. You have no right to touch it, criticize it, or judge it.

If I gain or lose weight it will still be beautiful. If I develop scars or wrinkles with age, it will still be beautiful.

Regardless of whether or not I choose to shave, wax, or tweeze, this body is still beautiful.

Your ridiculous beauty standards do nothing for me. My body refuses to listen or conform to any of your lies.

So, whether you admire my body or not, just remember boy, that this body is not for you. The only one who needs to love it is ME.

Love,

Jo