What Body Neutrality Feels Like

[Listen to an audio version of this blog here.]

I was recently sent an article about how the body positivity movement has become toxic, lacking the inclusivity and acceptance that inspired the movement’s existence. I read it with a mixture of disinterest and annoyance. How bored does the internet have to be to turn a good thing into something controversial?

Another article goes on to say, “‘All bodies should be celebrated,’ the movement says. But the unasked question is, by whom? Finally marketing a plus-size body as sexy and hot is progress, but it inadvertently still ties a person’s value to their physical appearance. Big and small and everything in between is beautiful — but wouldn’t it be better if we all could all agree that our beauty doesn’t have to define our worth?”

Sure, that would be nice, wouldn’t it? If our very visual and sex-obsessed world suddenly wasn’t? But the world we’re living in is superficial sometimes, especially when it comes to appearances, and it isn’t without reason. We are scientifically more attracted to symmetrical faces and bodies that seem evolutionarily capable of reproduction. Of course, what makes a person attractive or loveable or “worthy” is a lot more nuanced than appearance. No one is arguing that. Behavior, intelligence, social class, motivation, emotional intelligence, and much more factor into…