'I love my body for being strong and healthy and sexy': Amy Schumer refuses to be body shamed - and lets her trolls know it
Amy Schumer is teaching internet trolls everywhere a lesson.
After coming across a Photoshopped image of herself online, the comic took her critic by surprise when she personally replied to his post on Instagram.
Earlier this week, Instagram user @iacewlguy altered a photo of Schumer in a bikini to what he thought was “better.”
“So I think Amy looks great already but man does she look way better in my OPINION in the second photo,” they wrote.
Schumer replied directly writing, “I disagree. I like how I really look. That’s my body. I love my body for being strong and healthy and sexy. I look like I’d give a good hug or have a drink with you. The other picture looks nice but it’s not me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well. See, we’re both right.”
The “I Feel Pretty” star then shared the exchange to her Instagram stories, for her millions of fans to see.
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Rightfully embarrassed, @iacewlguy deleted the post and issued an apology to Schumer pleading ignorance.
“I didn’t think much about it when I first posted the pic,” @iacewlguy wrote in a separate apology. “I’ve seen a lot of people photoshopping celebrities so I didn’t think mine would even be a blimp. [sic] I spent like 30 min making the photo and I should have never posted it! I’m glad people called out this post. That was a dick move on my end. Well all I can do is apologize. I’m sorry.”
Altering images on Instagram has become a common practice for influencers and other social media users. It used to be that photoshopping images was a practice for print media or advertising professionals only. Distorting models to fit into an unrealistic archetype of beauty was unhealthy, but something that the average consumer couldn’t participate in on their own. We were simultaneously enticed by the idea of ‘perfection’ but aware of our manipulation.
With apps like Facetune and Perfect365, the girl or guy next-door has the power to manipulate their image, and as seen in the the practice of fan edits, distort the images of others to something that’s “better” or “more beautiful.” The lines have blurred between what’s real and what isn’t, and with social media quickly overshadowing other forms of media, the seeds of an unrealistic type of beauty has further planted itself in our culture. This time, we’re doing it to ourselves, and fooling one another — just because we can.
Schumer reclaiming her body as what’s better or even, what’s best, is an act that all women and other social media users should demand from one another. Beauty standards were meant to keep women repressed by keeping us obsessed with our physical selves. Dropping the pretence of perfection, and forgoing the use of photoshop is the only way we can free ourselves from the hamster wheel of self-hatred.
Like Schumer, we can do so without inciting further negativity online. Start the conversations, open a dialogue — and watch the trolls eat their words one by one.
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