While doing research for this blog, I came across a page that, I'll admit, I kind of fangirled over. First, I'll explain a little bit about the organization. The NOW Foundation is an organization that is devoted to achieving full equality for women. It focuses much of it's attention on women's rights issues, including women's health and body image and representation of women in the media. As I was exploring their website, I came upon their Love Your Body page. This campaign challenges the medias message "that a women's value is best measured through her willingness and ability to embody current beauty standards." They announced that this year on October 14th it was Love Your Body Day. On their page you can read more about their campaign, how you can support them, and how to Love Your Body.
Living in a dorm full of
girls, beauty is a common topic. When I decided to write this blog on beauty, I
knew I wanted to include them and their opinions in some way. After giving it
thought, I wondered what made them feel beautiful. So I asked. The following
are real responses from real college freshmen to the question, “What makes you
feel beautiful?”
Jordan U. “I feel
beautiful when I’m in my sweatpants and sweatshirt with my hair back in a
ponytail, no make-up and wearing my glasses.” Cianna L. “When I’m
geared up and out hunting, that’s when I feel beautiful.” Schnell S. “My smile
makes me feel beautiful.”
In today's society, there seem to be two main ideas regarding beauty. Either
you're on the side of: "It's what's on the inside that matters" or
you are part of the argument between those that either believe being thin is better or having curves is better. Both of these arguments
have swarmed the internet in many fashions: pictures, videos, blogs, etc. I
personally believe that you should love yourself and if you feel you aren’t
happy with who you are, change yourself. To me, it’s more important for you to
love yourself and be happy than for everyone else to love you for how you look.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do think it’s important to do your best to be a good
person, which makes you beautiful on the inside. But no matter what, to me beauty is all about loving you who are.
If you want to spend your days in sweatpants with your hair in a messy bun and
you feel beautiful, that’s what matters. If you like to get up early and do
your hair and make-up because that’s what makes you feel confident which in
turn makes you feel beautiful, then do it! Be yourself, be BEAUTIFUL YOU.
Many popular singers have released songs promoting a positive body image. This
summer for example, singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor, released her single “All
About That Bass”. In an interview with Gary Trust from Billboard, Trainor
explained that she wrote the song, not just for others, but her herself, “because
I’ve struggled with [body image] since I was very young.” In another interview with Entertainment Weekly, Trainor was asked is she originally wrote the song for herself or if she intended to give it to another person. Trainor replied, "It was one of the first sessions where I walked in and said, “I don’t wanna write about anyone else today. I’m sick of trying to pretend that I’m Rihanna, or pretend I’m a different human. Let’s just write a great song for the world.” And when he started making the beat I freestyled, “It’s pretty clear I ain’t no size two,” and I was like, “Girl anthem. This is for me. Let’s do it.” Other artists have also branched out and dared to write songs promoting a
positive, natural body image such as Colbie Caillat
and John Legend.
