Interviewer:
Hi, can you start by telling us a little bit about yourself? Who are you?
Aishi:
My name is Aishi. I’m 11 years old, and I’m in fifth grade. I was born in Seattle.
Interviewer:
Thank you. So, we just wanted to know, what are your experiences with negative body image or people commenting about that? Of course, if you’re not comfortable sharing, you don’t have to.
Aishi:
Personally, no one has said anything about me, but my friends have been through some stuff. A lot of people comment about it in school, even though it’s just elementary school. Everyone’s like, “Oh, did you not sleep well?” or “Are you not exercising at home?” or “Are you getting a second school lunch?” It just kind of builds up to what it’s going to be like in middle school.
Interviewer:
What do you think middle school is going to be like? Do you already have a perception of what it’s going to be like?
Aishi:
I feel like a lot of people who go there get a lot of body hate, like people comment on how they look or say small things that add up. I haven’t experienced it, but a lot of my friends have.
Interviewer:
At times, do you ever feel like you want to say something and speak up for your friends about it?
Aishi:
I do, but sometimes I get too scared because I get nervous. I try to speak up, but it doesn’t always work. Most of the time, the comments are small and no one else hears them. They’re just kind of whispered or told to someone else who spreads rumors.
Interviewer:
That’s completely understandable. It’s great that you try to stand up whenever you can. What do you think teachers, students, or parents should do to promote body positivity or stop body shaming?
Aishi:
I feel like they should tell their kids or students not to listen to those little comments. They should remind them that they are worth everything, and those comments won’t matter in a few years. They’re just little insecure people who don’t know what they’re talking about.
Interviewer:
I like how you mentioned that even though you didn’t voice it, you recognize that a lot of the bullying comes from people being insecure about themselves. Do you think bullying is often about projecting insecurities?
Aishi:
Yeah, I feel like people who bully others are just reflecting their own insecurities onto them. They try to make others feel bad, like if they’re hungry and only get one school lunch, and someone else gets two, they might say, “You shouldn’t be eating that second lunch.” It’s like they’re afraid of being judged, so they start judging others.
Interviewer:
That’s really insightful. Lastly, what message would you like to give to people who body shame others and those who get body shamed?
Aishi:
For people who get body shamed, I’d say, “Don’t listen to them. They’re just insecure and projecting their feelings onto you. A little comment may hurt, but you just have to move past it.”
For the people who body shame others, I’d say, “Even though you’re insecure, you have no right to body shame others or project your insecurities onto them.”
Interviewer:
Thank you, Aishi. That was really great advice.
Aishi:
You’re welcome.