Don't Remind Us That Your Fat

“Nothing is more powerful than a fat girl who doesn’t give a f*ck,” said Kat Hernadez from the award-winning series, Euphoria.

Actress Barbie Ferreria plays the character Kat Hernadez who portrays the obstacles faced by plus-sized adolescent women. Her character transition between seasons one and two and the real-life experience of the actress Barbie Ferreria represents the depths of fatphobia and pretty privilege within every factor of society. Euphoria's popularity rose due to how the piece resonates with adolescents and young adults who are vocal about their struggles with mental health, body confidence, and drug abuse.

In season one, Kat rebranded herself as she grew tired of hiding in the shadows of her conventionally pretty friends Maddy Perez and Cassie Howard. Through this rebrand, she created a more bold, confident style and sexually liberated herself. As her confidence grew, her romantic life elevated. The societal implications within this shift represent the unrealistic expectations placed on plus-sized women to even be considered attractive. According to these standards, you must carry this ultra confidence because even the slightest sense of insecurity reminds everyone you're fat. You must also have this amazing style to combat the socially unacceptable body. These are just a few of the rules society puts on women's shoulders.

The effects of these unspoken “beauty” standards were unveiled within season two. Kat's depression returned as she revealed her newfound confidence was all an act. Amid this challenge, she explains how it’s impossible to be insecure in the current self-love era. Instead of addressing the social issues that permit insecurity and mental strife, self-love has turned into a social media campaign filled with hashtags and face masks pictures.

The body positivity movement has developed into a hashtag war and overflow of “I love your confidence” comments. Finding the meaning of self-love is not necessarily about redefining “beauty” it's about deleting the factor of physical appearance within everyday life.

Do not get me wrong, a more inclusive representation of beauty has been momentous for children from diverse backgrounds, but there is a larger discussion to be had. For women, our treatment and privilege are based on physical attributes. This shifts my focus away from “diversifying the idea of beauty”,?why do I need to convince anyone that I am beautiful for respect in the first place?

I want the self-love conversation to revolve around stopping the norm of physique leading or inhibiting opportunity.

Sincerely, a girl with unconventional features.