Slim Shaming

Yes! It’s a thing and is actually experienced by many skinny, slim, petite humans.
This is not going to be a rant. Or a self-righteous article. Or a condemning article. Or a piece that seems to diminish one body size at the expense of another. This article is about exposing the plight or downsides and even shaming of slim people.

Don’t get it wrong. Fat shaming is despicable. It has far worse consequences than slim shaming. This may be because it has been in existence longer and is more prominent and aggressive. There is a lot of ‘privilege’ associated with being slim. Case in point, modelling jobs; runway, print… Even sales jobs. You should see those adverts. ‘Looking for slim ladies size 6 and 8 for an upcoming..’. Being of a lighter skin shade is even an added advantage. Being fat (I don’t know where that line is marked) is considered unhealthy and the people regarded as lazy. Low self-esteem, depression, loss of job opportunities, snide comments and also loads of unsolicited advice accompany fat shaming. The list of what fat shaming does to people is endless. There is reason to believe that there are naturally plus sized people.

As per the title, I wasn’t going to talk about fat shaming but rather slim or skinny shaming. Our bodies are the biggest source of insecurity. Many people would like to change a thing or two about their bodies. Funny enough, even people who are contented with their bodies might dislike a part or two. There’s only so much we can change about our bodies.

Sometimes, you may feel okay with your body but everyone else thinks you need to change it or keeps on pointing it out as if you do not live under your own skin.
Slim shaming entails a lot. First, there is the privilege as I stated earlier and then there is the assumption that slim is the perfect body shape (yet there is slim shaming. Hoow???) Who declared the perfect body and how did they come to that conclusion? What tests? Is it universal? Speaking of universality, in Africa, body shapes seem to be a little bit different from other parts of the world. And that’s where I am from and my context as well.

 
Africans are synonymous with curvy body shapes. Being slim is seen as being less African. One is even likened to a ‘Mzungu’. Being slim is equated to starving and poverty and being unhealthy (these may be true). Eat more! Add more fat/meat to your bones. Nikikupikia, utanona(if I cook for you, you will add weight).

Woe unto you if you are vegetarian or ‘watch what you eat’. Everyone assumes you do that to keep your slim figure. Even when you do and maybe are forced to by a medical condition. Or you just want to stay the way you are.  ‘It is because you are fat phobic!!’ Then they ask with a certain look, ‘are you dieting?’ when they see your figure and your plate.

 
Slim shaming finds it way to public transport where they are expected to move for all and sundry because they are small. You don’t need that much space now, do you? If there’s a skinny person, it’s like there’s no person. Beba mwingine!(Carry another passenger!)
What’s up with slim peeps and baggy clothing? Everyone seems to talk about how ‘nguo zimekuvaa’ (clothes are too big). Yet, if you wear tight or fitting clothing, attention is drawn to your physique. ‘Ghai. Unakuwanga mkonda hivi?’ (Gosh, are you that skinny?) With comments such as, ‘you have hips??’ when a skinny female ends up wearing a tight trouser. The awe in people’s faces and voices is unmatched. It goes on and on.
Found working out? Why are you working out? What weight are you trying to lose? Panting? With a smirk, ‘you are unfit too?’ Duh? Or the elation when you beat them at a physical exercise. The assumption that they are weak and fragile and need taking care of is nauseating.

Let me not even get to the eat! Eat! Eat! commands. And the advice. When you get pregnant, you’ll add weight. People assume that’s all they always want. That’s all their life revolves around. That they want nothing to do with their slim bodies.
One thing for sure, many slim people are a good sport. They laugh and make fun of their bodies and join people in making fun of their bodies. They have a funny bone. Or bones. Hahahha. Got it? No? Never mind.

Mean comments are smiled at, laughed at and may be frowned upon and pierce the inner self when no one’s looking.

Everyone has a story. Some are naturally slim, others are ill, others have a high metabolism, others lose weight fast esp when stressed. Others, well they have eating disorders and maybe even body dysmorphia (body image disorder) or they can’t seem to add any significant weight no matter how much they try.
The privilege and perceived perfection doesn’t take the heart out of these humans who come in small packages. If it isn’t alright to say to a plus size person, what makes it okay to say to a slim person?