As a Black, plus-size woman in a world that isn’t so kind to people who look like me, it is important to love oneself. I own every room I walked in, or at least, I fake it. I know that despite my personality or qualities, there will always be some mention of my size. But what has made my journey to self-love and acceptance easier is the plus-size leaders in the community. They don’t shy away from who they are, and their main goal is ensuring everyBODY is represented.
This National Plus-Size Appreciation Day, 21Ninety spoke with The Curvy Fashionista founder, Marie Leggette. The Curvy Fashionista is a plus-size media platform celebrating plus-size people. For the last 15 years, Leggette served as a resource for plus news, fashion, and the voice of the underrepresented. Throughout the years, Leggette has expressed her passion for her community and the significance of Plus-Size Appreciation Day.
National Plus-Size Day is a defiant symbol against societal beauty norms, urging individuals to embrace their bodies with pride and love. The day serves as an important reminder that beauty and strength come in every size. This day also challenges stereotypes that often limit our understanding of self-worth and value.
“I remember when they first started. I was like, ‘We have a day…like this is exciting.’ But it also serves as a reminder of why I’m here and what I’m doing as a whole, right? So to have the day is great,” said Marie Leggette, plus-size influencer.
“It’s a reminder to keep showing love and providing and being of service to the community that I’m part of. So it serves to me as a reminder to keep going,” she continued.
Plus-Size Appreciation Day’s Impact
At the heart of this celebration lies the concept of self-love. It’s a journey, not an end. Plus-Size appreciation day pushes us to appreciate our bodies for what they are and what they do for us every day. More than just accepting physical appearance, self-love means treating oneself with respect, understanding, and patience.
Leggette shares that she spends this day encouraging those around her and herself.
“We all have our own things about ourselves that we may not like. So, for me, it’s really learning and finding that thing, and then what? Yes, you’ve got a little extra tummy…love on it. Your tummy is helping you stay nourished. [So] finding a way to kind of self-appreciate my plus-size body,” she explained.
Just as we extend kindness to loved ones, our bodies and minds deserve that same level of affection and consideration.
Plus-Size Visibility
Another pillar of this day is finding one’s voice. Historically, mainstream culture hasn’t always provided a platform for diverse body types. Speaking up becomes not just a personal endeavor but a societal one. By sharing stories, experiences, and challenges, individuals can inspire others to discover their truth and power.
For instance, Netflix’s “Survival of the Thickest,” starring Michelle Buteau, is the latest comedy series to grace our screens. It’s a refreshing and authentic portrayal of the experiences of a plus-size individual in a society often obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards. Buteau’s character, Mavis Beacon, represents an unapologetic and humorous journey of self-acceptance, love, and the complexities of life.
During her recent comedy show, Buteau thanked the audience for showing love to plus-size women such as herself and her character in the comedy series. And how this “movement” is helping so many others out there.
The show breaks away from the usual one-dimensional portrayals seen in mainstream media by portraying a plus-size main character with depth, authenticity, and respect. This representation provides validation and visibility for plus-size individuals. In addition, it challenges and reshapes the audience’s perceptions of beauty, self-worth, and the human experience. In doing so, “Survival of the Thickest” is a testament to the power of inclusive storytelling.
Another actress who brought visibility to her characters was Queen Latifah. She carried “main character energy” without her weight being discussed.
“It was about her and the character. Not her in her weight and the character or her character and her weight,” Leggette said.
Each voice contributes to a chorus, driving change, demanding respect, and carving out space for everyone, regardless of size.
Plus-Size Stereotypes and Assumptions
Plus-size individuals often face a barrage of stereotypes and assumptions in various aspects of society. These stereotypes suggest that being plus-size equates to being lazy, unhealthy, or lacking self-discipline. Such misconceptions can lead to discriminatory attitudes, fostering environments where body-shaming and discrimination thrive. Furthermore, the perception that all plus-size individuals are inherently unhappy with their bodies or are constantly seeking to lose weight is another unfounded generalization, disregarding the reality that body size doesn’t necessarily determine one’s self-esteem or contentment.
“As we look at these different assumptions and stereotypes, I have learned that as a plus-size person…just showing up as your full self is political. I mean, and don’t dare you walk into a room with confidence. OMG, it’s not even so much offensive, it’s more so…like they’ve never seen a fat person ever in their life,” Leggette explained.
Challenging these stereotypes is crucial for creating a more inclusive society and promoting mental and emotional well-being. When plus-size individuals continually confront these assumptions, it can adversely affect their self-worth and confidence. It’s essential to recognize that every individual’s health and life choices are multifaceted and cannot be distilled into mere physical appearance.
“I think people are still equating to health. I think it’s the AMA that just came out and was like, the BMI is racist. The BMI is no barometer for health. No, it’s not a proper measurement for health. And I think what’s going to be interesting is how that transitions and what that transitions into because the BMI is not a healthy indicator,” Leggette said.
The plus-size influencer also mentioned how social media has helped change people’s assumptions about plus people.
“Social media allowed for us to challenge each one of those [stereotypes] in different ways,” she added.
Promoting body positivity and diversifying media representations can pave the way for a society where judgments aren’t based on size.
The significance of National Plus-Size Day cannot be overstated. While strides have been made in the realms of body positivity and acceptance, reminders are necessary. This day not only acknowledges the beauty and worth of plus-size individuals but also galvanizes a movement against body-shaming and promotes inclusivity in every sphere of life. From media representation to fashion choices, this day highlights societal paradigm shifts while pointing to the work still left to do. Whether a plus individual or an ally, celebrating all body shapes helps build an inclusive society.