Don't call her 'Brave' !

                         During the quarantine, I had a lot of time lying around. So, I did what any Gen Z would do. I hit social media. I started following several new creators and influencers on social media. More often than never, I come across these gorgeous women, rocking their outfits, be it a swim-suit or shorts or a crop top or a pretty little sundress and I would gasp, "Wow, she is pretty!" or "That's the way to rock that outfit, girl!" And then I would see other women, absolutely amazing women, truly owning their outfits like a boss, be it a swim-suit or shorts or a crop top or a pretty little sundress and, I would think, "I wish I was courageous enough to pull that off " or "How brave and confident of her!" So why did I suddenly think a woman was brave just for looking pretty? The catch here is the former woman had a perfect hourglass figure and the latter was slightly chubbier according to the "Societal Standards."

                        After this epiphany, I immediately divert to the comments section of one such post and it was flooded with people calling the lady brave, courageous, and intrepid. Now you would think there is no problem with these comments. They are positive. You know what? They most certainly are. But then why wouldn't you think the same for Victoria's Secret model flaunting a bikini?

                        The problem here lies with the way most of us think. Society has rewired our brains to think of women to look a certain way. When you don't match those standards, your body is meant to be a source of shame. You are mocked at, much worse, bullied or fat-shamed. Although, over time, as people started calling these body-shamers out, our views have drastically yet positively changed towards all body types. We normalized all body types and for good. Yet somehow, we could not nullify the societal expectations of how a certain body type should dress up. We still unconsciously feel that fat is supposed to be kept hidden, covered, and wrapped under a piece of clothing. And hence, when a person reveals even a bit of it, we find it unusual. An act of bravery. 

Photo by Jennifer Enujiugha from Pexels

                        Not to misunderstand my point, I do think overcoming one's insecurities in whichever way is in fact inspiring. But these type of comments does not mostly mean to appreciate the body-positive person rather prompts at their own insecure mindset. We have made an unsafe space for us to be comfortable in our skins. 

                        Bravery is an act of doing something by overcoming your fears. But Why should someone be afraid of dressing the way they choose? Why should someone pull an act of bravery every time they want to dress up in a cute outfit? By calling a body-positive person brave, you are just trying to imply that if anybody with that body type wants to dress up that certain way, they need courage, when in reality, it should not be that difficult for anybody. We need to stop dress coding people according to their body-type. We need to normalize any woman wearing whatever she chooses to wear. 

                    So stop calling her brave. Stop calling her courageous for showing her cellulite. Comment "You look stunning." and stop right there before you add how strong she is for wearing that mini skirt.  Don't call her brave. She is simply beautiful. Like we all are.