A couple of weeks ago, Katherine Webb, former Miss Alabama, was criticized about her weight after posting a photograph of herself in a bikini on Instagram.

She was told to “eat a sandwich” and that she was “too skinny.”

Other comments that trolled in included:

@Milikul: Her hair prob weighs more than she does

@d.j.p.44: Yuck give her some protein

@fitnessleha: Eww no tone at all. Skinny legs 

@anataviaa: OMG you look sick 

@mrwoodchuckswood: Too skinny

@perlitaice: You need to gain weight

@kymfordham: Eat a sandwich

@tinicarraro: Anorexica… 

@lisacomer_2: Love you but please gain a little weight

@chingonbeto: Someone please give her a sandwich. What happened she looked amazing but now is looking anorexic.

It turns out that Katherine battles with a thyroid condition so has a difficult time putting on weight.

I’m a size zero, I’m not battling a thyroid condition, and I’m writing today to tell you that you’re still not allowed to tell me to eat a cheeseburger.

Just like I shouldn’t tell you that you shouldn’t eat a cheeseburger.

Why?

Because they are both rude.

Collectively, both comments are judgments that come from a place of unknowing ignorance and cruelness.

We don’t know someone’s story.

What if Katherine had a sister pass away, and in her grief was struggling with her appetite?

What if I was recovering from an eating disorder?

What if I went to Thailand and got a parasite?

What good do your words serve?

Are they supportive/encouraging to my journey?

No.

We are all entitled to opinions, but if they are not going to be constructive/encouraging perhaps you should shove them back into the ugly, judgmental place they came from instead of poisoning the air the rest of us are forced to breathe.

One of the ongoing conversations in our world right now is body image.

We are throwing up our hands at women being objectified in advertising/media.

We are yelling that, “Real women have curves, too.”

We are talking about skinny shaming. Although some may sigh and say, “We have more important things to talk about than body image,” I love that we are having these conversations.

Why?

Because we are finally not only acknowledging that woman are not/will not be just objects/props but have surefire worth in this world.

We are scrapping the painted/idealized image of beauty off the sides of bus stops and creating a market for plus sized models.

And all of these conversations matter because they are leading toward one common goal: acceptance in our skin.

Collectively, as humans, we need to support one another on our journeys.

They may be different, and we may not necessarily be able to relate—but at the end of the day we are all after the same pot of gold at the end of the rainbow—being at home in our bodies we are born into.

So let’s stop bashing one another so uselessly.

Let’s stop trying to yell louder than the next person with shouts of “My journey was more difficult than yours. My life is harder than yours.”

Let’s pick each other up, with empathy, and compassion and understanding.

Let’s do the work to love the skin we are in.

 “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” ~ Ian Mclaren

BONUS: The qualities to look for in a life mate:

Relephant:

My Body Doesn’t Need Your Metaphors. 

Can We Retire the Phrase “Real Women,” Please?

Author: Janne Robinson

Editor: Renee Picard 

Image: Instagram / Google Images for Reuse