Unwanted attitudes on women’s bodies have long existed, and social media has just made them more visible. Online trolls rarely pass up the chance to criticise on anything from skin tone and physical form to fashion choices and ageing. One such target was recently Anoushka Shankar, a composer and sitarist. She did, however, respond with a scathing and respectful piece.
Anoushka Shankar’s strong stand against body shaming
Anoushka Shankar, a composer and sitarist, addressed the reality of body shaming in a potent Instagram post, serving as a stark reminder that one’s body should not be the target of unwelcome criticism. She started by emphasising the straightforward yet profound reality of human existence, writing:
“This, here, is a body. In one sense, JUST a body (everyone has one!) and therefore nothing special. In another sense (like EVERY body!) it is also a miracle. When I think of what my body has carried me through I’m filled with awe and gratitude.”
After that, she thought back on all of the hardships and victories her body had helped her achieve over the years. Anoushka penned,
“This body has birthed two children, survived child sexual abuse and several dangerous situations with men, healed through four major surgeries, suffered through polycystic ovarian syndrome with heavy period pain and migraines from the age of eleven, made it through addiction, held me through battles with undiagnosed neurodivergence… fought and come to terms with an autoimmune disorder, and generally been a complete, badass warrior on my behalf.”
She reminded everyone with her words that bodies are living examples of survival and resiliency in addition to being physical forms.
Anoushka also stated unequivocally that she would not permit strangers or internet trolls to ruin her quest. She wrote strongly,
“I haven’t got to this point, after all that, only to accept any banal, pathetic comments (male) strangers feel the need to bring into my orbit. The inherent arrogance that allows one human to think they have the right to pass judgement on someone in this way is astounding. In 20225 we should be so far beyond this kind of idiocy – there are bigger battles to fight, but I just could not accept this.”
In doing so, she criticised the insensitivity of body-shaming comments that persist in the modern era.
She reminded everyone that nobody has the right to make comments about another person’s body or choices as she ended her post with a message of unity. She penned,
“For the people in the back: My body is not anyone else’s to comment on. My choices – all of them – are mine to make.”
Lastly, she offered her assistance to anyone who experiences similar things by saying,
“To anyone else who receives these kinds of comments, either in public or in private, I see you, and I’m with you. It’s not your shame to carry, it’s theirs.”
In addition to defending herself, Anoushka Shankar’s statements offered courage to many people who were being body shamed on social media and elsewhere.
Check out the excerpts of body-shaming remarks she included in her piece.
