Why I choose the taboo word... Plus Size
I can't tell you how many "suggestions" emails I got when I decided to call my Blog and body positive community Plus Size Confessions. It was not the confessions word they had an issue with, it was the "Plus Size" word they had issues with. Most of the emails convey the same message, that the word " Plus Size" is an inaccurate term, a meaningless word and I should throw it away. There are two issues I take with this; one I am a plus size individual and two when did it become okay in the body positive move to tell someone who is completely comfortable with the term to not use it, doesn't that go against what the body positive movement is all about?
I completely understand that there are a stigma and negative connotation that has been placed on this word by the media, but I am not controlled or emotionally affected any longer by the media and I have always had a good relationship with the word and my body. This good relationship I have with the word PLUS SIZE probably stems way back to my middle school years and I had to start shopping at Lane Bryant, the word was everywhere and throughout the whole store, so to me it holds positive memories of fantastic shopping sprees with mom.
I attended and graduated from The International Academy of Design and Technology with a Bachelors degree (BFA) in Fashion Design. The three years I personally never heard any of my instructors or fellow fashion student peers, say or have any negative word about the word. The term was strictly used as a way to describe a small portion of the industry. In fact, I think we should have a problem with having only a small portion of the fashion industry, then the word itself. I can recall one time I had a computer student ( gaming) ask me about the word. She said, isn't that word horrible? when I hear the word it makes me nervous and a little uncomfortable. I answered her, No it does not make me uncomfortable and know I am a big girl, I have been my entire life and in the fashion industry, my clothing tag is plus size. The kicker is this girl was a size 4 or 5, I have noticed this trend; that most people who are the most vocal about the word PLUS SIZE are not technically PLUS SIZE. This is just my opinion, I feel a lot of models who are deem "PLUS SIZE" in the industry want to get rid of the term because like the media they somehow equate the word to being fat, obese and not worthy. I agree with half of this, they are right most models deem " PLUS SIZE" in the industry are in my humble opinion, are not plus size, But I don't agree with the negative connotation that has been placed on the word Plus Size. I think Model Ashley Graham is a beautiful model and she seems to have a beautiful soul ( I say seems, because I have never met her before) but, can I as a big woman relate to her... No
So, to end the word Plus Size to me is not a derogatory word it is simply a descriptive word. It does not personally hurt my feelings to be called plus size. So when a few "Body Positive" people take the time out of their day to email and say drop the term, you are essentially telling me to be politically correct. I have never been politically correct in my life... so why start now.
Post question: How do you feel about the word Plus Size? Please leave your answer in the comments.
Just my confessions, Nikki xoxo Hey, Look ! Actual Plus Size women smiling!
