Is Body Positivity Movement Turning Toxic? Influencer Calls Out Hypocrisy

Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar, an influencer known for her candid insights, took to Instagram to share her ongoing struggle for acceptance and inclusivity in society. Ravishankar pointed out the hypocrisy she perceives in the body positive movement. In her heartfelt Instagram post, the influencer opened up about the ongoing struggle for acceptance and inclusivity in society. She began by lamenting the exhausting battle with the world, questioning if true change is desired or if people truly care about those who have been struggling for basic rights for years.

Take a look at her post here.

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A post shared by Tanvi Geetha Ravishankar (@thechubbytwirler)

In a long note, she pointed out the hypocrisy she perceives in the body positive movement, where some promote harmful weight loss methods under the guise of body positivity. The influencer also expresses frustration at the prevalence of fitness content promoting intentional weight loss and fad diets, which she believes contradicts the movement's message of acceptance.

Ravishankar's Candid Insights About The Hypocrisy in the Body Positive Movement

She shared, "Weightloss and body transformation videos seem like they are on steroids on Instagram...They are everywhere and have millions of views While videos on body diversity and acceptance either have little to no views or if it does reach a larger audience, there are armies waiting to ruthlessly attack and bully the creator."

Furthermore, she discussed the lack of true representation for plus-size individuals in the fashion industry, noting the limited availability of inclusive clothing lines. Despite feeling disheartened and tired from the ongoing fight for visibility and acceptance, she remains determined to advocate for change, acknowledging the challenges but emphasising the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

She concluded her post writing, "I also want to be seen and heard... Atleast before I had a place for it... a place that gave my struggles and issues space and validation. Now even that space has been hijacked by bodies who've always been celebrated anyway! How cruel can the world be ? How indifferent and hypocritical can people be?"

Ravishankar's honest talk about feeling tired and letdown strikes a chord with many people, including me. I've faced teasing about my thin body for a long time. It's something I've just gotten used to, sadly. But what really hurts is when people who preach about body positivity and being accepting of everyone end up acting differently in real life. It's disappointing when you see influential and well-known personalities online promoting messages of body positivity, acceptance, and all sorts of motivating things, but then they turn around and make hurtful comments about your appearance when you meet them in person. This has happened to me twice with two great online personalities.

Contradictory Behaviour in the Online World

These experiences were a reminder for me that things aren't always as they seem online, and sometimes the people we look up to can let us down. But by talking about it, we can start important conversations and hopefully make things better for everyone.

In a parallel scenario, the online world witnesses instances of celebrities advocating one thing but allegedly engaging in contradictory behaviour offline. They often say, "practise what you preach," yet the reality on social media sometimes paints a different picture. The recent headline about Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt being labelled a 'hypocrite' for carrying a leather bag at a Gucci event, despite endorsing the film Poacher against illegal ivory smuggling, mirrors the contradictions. Internationally, Hailey Bieber, known for her advocacy for natural beauty, faced scrutiny when a TikTok video claimed she used filters to enhance her appearance, contradicting her stance on embracing her real skin texture. These incidents shed light on the challenges of genuine representation and authenticity in the realm of celebrity influence and societal expectations.

So, indeed, Ravishankar raised a correct question: "How indifferent and hypocritical can people be?" But let's delve deeper into our own behaviour. Why do we often seek validation from other individuals? Who are they to validate us, and does it truly matter if they validate us or not? Moreover, why do we find it so challenging to live our lives authentically without constantly comparing our lives to others? These are questions worth pondering.

Views expressed by the author are their own