I am skinny and proud. But, I haven't always been small; during 4th and 5th grade I was actually called fat, then thick by 6th grade...then I got too skinny by 8th. A huge push in the media began on uplifting large bodies that left lean people to be seen as unhealthy.  My whole life I thought thinner was better but it seems as though that statement wasn't very true at all.

     “When are you going to grow some woman features” a guy once asked me in class. The question was so sudden; I didn't even know how to respond. All I could do was laugh away the hurt I truly felt. I understand that I resemble a stick, and I'm perfectly fine by that. Yeah, perfectly fine until I start to to dwell on the fact that I lack all the things females my age possess. This isn't very pleasing.

     To be skinny in America means being good...but not good enough. “Girl at least you're not overweight, but you're too small”.Being thin use to be the swing! But now it seems to be a disgrace. When I was younger, slim bodies and big breast were plastered and admired almost everywhere. Then a movement began about 2 years ago about putting a stop to body shaming and encouraged individuals (mainly women) to love their bodies. Cool, yet on the contrary, if society is all for the idea of self love, why should I feel or be told that my natural body isn't okay?

     As a child, my diet was never monitored. Grandma why didn't you or mommy watch my eating habits? Why did you guys let me eat so much in 4th grade? Why did you guys make fun of me along with other family members when I got chunky? Why do you guys still have things to say about my body even though the weight is gone? Do you not understand the damage done mom? Grandma? Uncle? Auntie? Cousins? Do you?

     No one had anything to say about me in my household until I gained weight for 2-3 years, but I lost it so I don't understand why there's still so much talk and I don't hear any congratulations. Are you guys just mad because I lost all the work by myself with no help? Half my family members aren't even fit.

     My parents have contributed to me very independent. Without their help, I managed to push myself to be in good health. Some insecurities lie within me though which my parents also contributed too. Shout out to you guys. 

     Being picked on about being skinny has taught me to be to be thankful for good health. Everything in life is not about being fat or scrawny. It's about being healthy, happy, and alive because no matter the situation, people will always have something to say.

     People are going to talk regardless of how you look, act, live, or weigh. Being slim feels great! I'm proud to say that I'm becoming very comfortable in my skin. This is MY body, if I'm happy with it, that's all that matters.

     As Oprah Winfrey once stated, “turn your wounds into wisdom”. Which is exactly what I'm doing. I admire this woman a lot because she doesn't resemble most of the ladies in Hollywood; beat with make-up, flashing her money, and living for attention. She has broken down many invisible barriers for colored women, shaped cultural trends, also promoted various liberal causes.

     BBQ BBQ pumpkin, pumpkin!

BBQ BBQ corn, corn!

  BBQ BBQ wiener, wiener!

I love, I love BBQ

  BBQ BBQ onion, onion!

BBQ BBQ steak, steak!

  BBQ BBQ chicken, chicken!

I love, I love BBQ

  Hey, where did all the food go?

I'm still hungry.