Despite recent changes seen in the fashion and beauty industries, there is still a long way to go to shatter stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards. Photo: AFP
A series of fat shaming videos has recently sparked anger among TikTokers, who have chosen to respond by hijacking this humiliating trend and reappropriating it as a movement of acceptance and self-affirmation.
And hopefully make those who consider taking part in "fat shaming" think twice.
Despite recent changes seen in the fashion and beauty industries, there is still a long way to go to shatter stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards related to weight, body shape, gender, as well as sexual orientation... especially on social networks.
Read more: Six-pack abs, nice skin, full head of hair? How men fret about their looks too
The users of TikTok have recently paid the price, except that the humiliating and fat-shaming and phobic videos published on the social network have this time generated a positive phenomenon entirely dedicated to self affirmation and acceptance.
"I bet she's fat under all those clothes"
A new, tasteless trend started showing up on the social network a few days ago. It consists of filming oneself in loose, baggy clothing – T-shirts, hoodies, or oversize dresses – to the soundtrack of "Love Me" by Lil Wayne.
So far, so good. Except that the users then tightened the clothes around their waist to reveal their slim figure, never forgetting to add the caption: "I bet she's fat under all those clothes".
If they thought they were going to gain in popularity, the TikTokers concerned have on the contrary provoked the anger of a majority of users, determined to denounce this new style of "fat shaming".
A practice that consists of making fun of and publicly humiliating – often on social networks – one or more people whose weight or body shape don't correspond to society's "beauty standards".
TikTok strikes back
"Why does it matter? This trend is offensive and disgusting to our beautiful plus-sized women," riposted on user, @spookigio26, whose video has since been viewed over 3.7 million times.
"I'd rather be fat than body shaming other people to boost your own ego," added another, @soulmori, also supported by over a million people.
More generally, the trend has been described as "fatphobic" and "stupid" by a majority of users. Sile went even further to denounce the "fat shaming" and promote self-acceptance (and all bodies).
Read more: Is the 'perfect body' a thing of the past? Self-acceptance now on the rise
To call out the original trend, some TikTokers have made the same type of videos, wearing loose clothing with the caption "I bet she's fat under all those clothes".
But instead of the final revelation, that is, highlighting a thin silhouette, they privilege dialogue about this harmful trend or highlight their curves with the message: "So what?"
A nice example of thumbing a nose to those who initiated a "trend" that definitely no longer has any place on social networks – and probably should never have. – AFP Relaxnews
