Women for Women: Why we should be supporting each other, instead of tearing each other down

By Jordan Washington

A few months back, there was an article on Entertainment Weekly about Chloe G. Moretz’s comments towards Kim Kardashians’ naked selfie that she posted on her Twitter account ,. In the interview, Chloe responded to a question that was aimed at clarifying her comments towards the photo. Chloe stood by them, but did admit that she gave her energy to people that didn’t deserve it. As I was looking at the comments attached to the article, I was shocked that almost every comment was bashing Kim Kardashian and praising Chloe Moretz as a ‘sheroe’.

That harsh commentary didn’t stop when, just a few months ago, Kim Kardashian attempted to ‘break the internet’ yet again. She posted a naked photo of herself, breasts and vagina censored of course, with the caption, “When you’re like, ‘I have nothing to wear’ LOL.”  After she posted the photo, which was posted on her Instagram over 6 months ago, her comment section was filled with nothing but support. However, when entertainment news sites posted about it on their Facebook pages, the comments were quite the opposite. People brought up her sex tape and tried to body shame her saying that because she made a sex tape, anytime she shows her body, she should just deal with the harsh commentary and should accept her title as being nothing but a whore.

This episode is one of many when it comes to the issue of policing women’s bodies, especially when the policing is coming from other women. We, as women, expect those comments to come from men, because that’s just what history tells us. Whether it’s through old photos of men placing measuring tape against a woman’s bathing suit or by saying how a woman’s place is always in the kitchen, our society has conditioned us to believe that those types of comments can only come from men. However, history also tells us a different story, such as with Phyllis Schalfly, may she rest in peace, of women who have combatted feminist issues and equal rights for women because they liked being in the traditional roles bestowed upon them.

Whatever your stance on the issues are as a woman, policing someone’s actions is never okay, especially when it comes to their bodies. People seem to forget that behind every photo or tweet Kim posts, there’s a human being behind that screen with feelings and emotions, just like the next person. Also, her past shouldn’t warrant or justify the nasty behavior that was displayed in the comment section.

Kim came into prominence not only due to her being good friends with socialite Paris HIlton, but also by being in a sex tape with a well-known rapper named Ray J. Throughout the years of her and her family being catapulted into the public eye, via tv shows, apps and all, Kim has posted provocative pictures of herself. Whether it be her butt selfie, another naked selfie, or of herself doing a seductive pose, she is no stranger to putting her body on display via social media.

Just as she has received in the past, she has also been on the receiving end of harsh criticism for it, especially when it comes to her motherhood. Some people think that because she posts provocative pictures of herself, she’s not a good mother, because you can’t be a good mom without being proud of your body, right? That’s what I don’t understand. Put your feelings about Kim aside, and realize that by saying things like that, you are trying to eliminate her power of choice, and that’s a strong part of feminisms foundation.

I and countless others in this world have days where we’re feeling ourselves and we think that we look good. Some of us may also take seductive pictures and post them on social media because we’re proud of who we are and what we look like in those moments. Just imagine if every non-famous person’s comment section was bashing them like with Kim’s? You would probably be confused as to why people were so into putting you down and making you think that celebrating your body is to be shamed.

I know that Chloe Moretz’s comments were well-intentioned, but her comment also engaged in the body shaming practice that so many others took part of. Chloe commented on her possibly being a role model. Yes, there are young girls who probably do idolize her, yet Kim could teach young girls to be confident in their bodies and to not feel as if they have to hide them because that’s just the ‘womanly thing to do’ these days. Chloe is, just as everyone else, to have an opinion, however, her opinion ran along the lines of shaming Kim just because she personally wouldn’t post photos of herself like that on social media.

I don’t and will never understand why some people would rather put down people who seem to embrace/love their bodies than try to love their own. Not one body is perfect, but each body is beautiful because each body has a uniqueness about it that can never compare to anyone else’s’. We should celebrate that instead of shaming other people for it. We’re better and stronger together, as Hillary Clinton’s presidential slogan was, than we are apart. As a marginalized group that continues and has made tremendous progress in terms of visibility and accomplishments, we need to lift each other up. If we won’t, who will? No one knows what it’s like to be a woman in this world unless they are one. We all obviously do not agree on everything, but when it comes to an issue such as body shaming, we should be the first people trying to eradicate it.

Next time you have an urge to join in on the shaming, remember how you would feel if that was you and just because a woman decides to post a naked picture of herself, that doesn’t mean that she’s a whore, slut, hoe, or a tramp. Celebrating yourself should never garner negativity, and if you don’t have anything nice to comment, just keep on scrolling.  We must have each other’s backs on this, because if we don’t, who will?

Jordan Washington holds a B.A. in English from Illinois College. She is a recent graduate with a passion for writing, social justice, and women’s rights. She currently lives with her family in a suburb of Chicago.