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The double edged sword of being conventionally pretty is that you’re offered stature and control in positions others who don’t have the same privilege can’t access, yet misogyny will follow no matter where you go trying to rip you of any human feeling related to your experience. It’s kind of like... and hear me out... women will never win?

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YOU GET IT

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Mar 20, 2023Liked by Mikala Jamison

Great writing Kala!

Sydney Sweeney is the current face of this but Ariel Winter (who had a breast reduction) and Christina Hendricks have also been the target of this type of criticism as well.

It's wild that folks still think this type of commentary and behavior is ok. I think it's all fruit of the same body shamey/voyeuristic tree.

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Thank you! Yes, you're so right re: Ariel and Christina. There are endless examples of this, which is in itself a pretty depressing thing.

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Mar 20, 2023Liked by Mikala Jamison

I love that you pointed out that being conventionally attractive doesn't inoculate you against body image trauma--because it is so true. Doesn't matter whether the "ugly duckling" became a swan--everyone remembers being the ugly duckling. More people need to remember that suffering is universal. Sure, it can be important to read the room when you're talking about your troubles and acknowledge your privilege when relevant. But that doesn't mean we should be harassing people who speak up about their troubles if they aren't winning the "Suffering Olympics."

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Absolutely and thanks! There is definitely a "read the room" sensibility celebs need to take when they're talking about their current status and lifestyles. This is just so different, since she's talking about the very common experience (from when she *wasn't* a celebrity) of being a young girl with a body people were paying attention to.

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Mar 20, 2023Liked by Mikala Jamison

Oh for sure! I didn't mean to imply she should have read the room--that doesn't really apply here, as you mentioned.

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Totally, I get ya, I was agreeing :)

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