Society tells me that I am not beautiful.

That because I am not a size two super model with perfect skin, I am ugly.

 

Society tells me that I am not beautiful.

That I should work a little harder, eat a little less, and that I am not ideal woman.

 

But what if the “ideal woman” wasn’t built on lies?

 

Society tells me that I am not beautiful.

That American women must strive to reach this unachievable standard of beauty.

 

Society tells me that I am not beautiful.

That a woman must meet a standard created by men and the media

 

But what if it doesn’t just start with adults?

 

Society tells little girls that they are not beautiful.

That something is wrong with them if they don’t look like Barbies or Bratz

 

Society tells little girls that they are not beautiful.

That they must be conditioned to think badly about themselves so that they will grow up to be the perfect consumers

 

But what if the lies aren’t just for women?

 

Society tells men that I am not beautiful.

That I must change my looks so they will view me as beautiful.

 

Society tells men that I am not beautiful.

That it is ok for them to call us out for not meeting those standards.

 

But why do others get to decide whether or not I am beautiful?

 

What would happen if we don’t tell someone what beautiful is?

What would happen if we redefine beauty in America?

 

I want to teach society that we are all beautiful

That women don’t have to starve themselves or cringe every time they catch a glimpse in the mirror.

 

I want to teach society that we are all beautiful.

That a simple comment on our looks will not send a girl spiraling into a void of self-doubt and insecurity.

 

I want to teach society that we are all beautiful.

That as long as women are put down for who they are and forced into extremely small boxes America will never be great.

 

I want to teach society that we are all beautiful.