A Love Letter to Plus-Size Latinas

Being a plus-size Latina comes with its own set of challenges which often end up affecting how we see ourselves. Our self-love can take the hit of fatphobic jokes and nicknames, so it’s important to remind ourselves of who we are and the love that we deserve to receive from ourselves and others. This letter goes out to all plus-size Latinas who are thriving and loving their bodies apologetically; and to those who are still on their self-love journey, taking it one day at a time. Somos hermosas inside and out and there isn’t a beauty standard or cultural expectation that’s going to change that, despite what the world may say.

Querida Bella, 

As I write this I think of all the challenges you have to navigate through just for existing. From childhood into adulthood, you’ve seen the various masks that fatphobia wears. You lived through being called “gordita” like it was your first name, even if you hated it. You sat through mami or papi lecturing you about how you wanted seconds after finishing your plate. As you grew older and entered the dating world, you read through messages on dating apps that either fetishized you or shamed you for your body type. Not only that, you also experienced being exoticized for being Latina. At times, you can’t even lay in your bed scrolling through TikToks or Instagram posts without seeing videos making fun of girls like you or thin influencers selling you on the next trend that is sure to “depuff” or “snatch” you into shape.

These experiences you share with fellow plus-size Latinas can weigh heavily on your self-esteem and body image. When your tia makes a comment about your body or you hear your thinner friends calling themselves fat in front of you, you may start to question your perception of yourself.  Through it all, I am in awe of how you show us— time and time again—that your confidence and power are unmatched as you love yourself. And you are not shy about it, girl! Each year that goes by you level up and it shows. The comments you shrugged off before are now met with clear boundaries. The diet culture that once made you think twice about what you’re eating is not part of the conversation anymore because you listen to your body. The insults that hurt you don’t go without you clapping back and letting everybody know that you love your body exactly as it is. Watching you become a confident woman in a world that sometimes doesn’t love you back is empowering to say the least.

This goes without saying but, being fat doesn’t equate to being ugly. For a long time, we’ve been conditioned to associate the two and let me tell you, seeing you proves that statement wrong each time. Because the idea that we should hide our bodies is so normalized, every time I see you wearing that crop top or that dress, you make me feel empowered to do the same. You deserve to wear whatever you want, to show off your body however you want. You are beautiful in any pattern, aesthetic, or cut that magazines or society has told isn’t flattering on us. Taking up the space you deserve shows people that we are not to be made invisible for not fitting society’s beauty standard. The “no f**ks given attitude” that you bring inspires other plus-size Latinas to embrace their bodies and beauty without thinking about how the world will see them. We are no longer in the business of making ourselves smaller for others’ sake or make ourselves respectable enough for them. It’s not up to you to change yourself to receive the love and respect you are worthy of.

Being on the journey towards embracing yourself wholeheartedly may be long and difficult but just know there is an entire community of Latinas that are some of your biggest cheerleaders. At the end of the day, you are the one person you’ll be with the rest of your life and you should give her as much love as possible.

Con mucho amor,

Laysha