Interview

We chose to interview a small influencer, to get a testimonial of shaming on social networks. Indeed, this woman like many others, is confronted every day with several types of shaming on social networks like Instagram. In order to understand in a better way our subject and how shaming happens, we have decided to put on our blog a real story.

The person with whom we exchanged agreed to answer our questions on the topic of shaming on social networks but she wanted to remain anonymous because the subject it’s not easy to talk about. We decided to respect her choice and we decided to call her “x” to preserve her identity. 

This is a girl that I follow on Twitter since two years I think and I always thought she was very inspiring because she spreads positivity and I like that ! So when we had to do this interview I thought about her and I was like : “Yeah why not ask her ? She seems nice” 

We sent her our questions via Instagram and she responded the day after.

We asked her a few questions about her experience and how she perceives the critics on social networks : 

Did you already receive critics about your body on the social media ? 

“Yes, sometimes,  when i posted some pictures of my entire body on Instagram, people responded with a lot of critics like "you're flat, you have no shape." I stopped posting pictures because I was ashamed of my body…” 

What do you think of the inequalities between people of color and white people ?

“To begin with I think racism shouldn't exist. The black community suffered a lot and we still  witness racism nowadays… I don’t think that’s a normal thing. The inequality between people who have different color of skin make me so angry honestly ! It can affect people on so many levels like economic or social and that’s just so unfair. 

I am also victim of racism from my Asian origins. On networks people are not nice to all kinds of communities and since they are behind a screen, they think they have the right to criticize even more. Especially since the coronavirus I feel even more persecuted. You have to know how to get over it if you don't want to be touched by the words of fools… Sometimes it makes me sad and angry but I can’t do anything about it. I wish people would think about what they or post. 

Have you ever witnessed a homophobic attack on social media ?

“Yes, actually. My brother came out when he was 15, so this was two years ago. It was a difficult time because my father wasn’t very comfortable with it and rejected him. He likes to post about his life on social media so the night he came out, he tweeted about it. Many people got emotional and congratulated him but a lot of people started to insult him. It was very hard to see. He pretended not to care but I know that deep down it affected him… I don’t think anyone should go through such a thing just because they choose to tell who they love online. It’s a normal thing and people don’t realize the harm it can do to someone.”

What do you think about fashion companies trying to include more body types and sizes ? And what do you think about women that show off all body types on Instagram ?

“ I think it's a good thing! Finally, the brands have understood that the woman's body is not limited to what we can see on the networks, that we do not have all the thin size, that we do not all fit into XS. I think including more sizes in clothes will allow women to accept themselves as they are. No matter how we look, thin or round for example, we are all beautiful and all women should find their happiness and their size in store. It can finally help women who are not confident about their bodies to embrace themselves and I’m so here for it ! 

And you know, on social media you can see so many people who tell you how should look like and it’s not normal to think that you have to look that way or this way. There are so many body types and you cannot ask everyone to look exactly the same. It doesn’t matter if you are thin or curvy, the thing that matters is that you feel good in your body. And if showing your clothes and body on Instagram makes you feel appreciated and beautiful then you should totally do it ! I absolutely love women who are confident about themselves !”

Do you think it is fair for girls to be called “sluts” or “whores” because they are comfortable with their bodies and often have sex ?

“Slut shaming is a big problem in our society….This movement push girls and women to hide, whilst it’s totally normal to have a sexual life ! Being on social networks exposes you to criticism, especially when you're starting to get a little known. It’s my case. I have many comments under my posts, mostly from men but also from women ! I really don’t understand and it’s really hard to deal with criticism and insults. To assume your body does not mean that you are a whore or a slut, and our generation really doesn’t understand that. 

You know sometimes I see girls posting photos in bikinis or dressed but you can see their nipples through their shirts and they get immediately insulted. I think that’s so stupid. Every body type, thin or curvy, is sexualized when it should not be. When I was younger slut shaming comments truly affected me, now I learnt not to take them seriously, but it's not easy every day. Unfortunately it concerns all women.” 

Thanks you for your testimonial, and your honesty about shaming on social medias !