The majority of my life has been filled with "you're too fat". I want to be a dancer and a singer, perhaps beautiful and wanted, or looked at with eyes that see me simply for who I am. Yet, with all of those wants I have been greeted by countless "fat" remarks. At one point you see your reflection and automatically think "I'm too fat". And if you're too fat for everyone else, why wouldn't you be to fat for yourself?
One day it hit me, I can't tell you when nor can I tell you that sometimes I don't struggle. But goodness how it hit me, I realized that I love my "fat", I love every curve of my body, every imperfection that I'm judged for. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and sorry for the people who could only see me as a category, as a stereotype. When I look in the mirror now, I see Daziann. The entirely of the woman I am, and God I'm rejoicing in my new found love - myself.
I'm baffled that all of these years, I didn't bask in my beauty, I didn't revel in joy of being so absolutely me.
My story is like every other person who's been made fun of, whether they were "fat", "gay", "nerdy", "too skinny" out any other cruel variation of the sort. My story is sad with amazing moments in-between just like everyone else. I think what makes my sorry so special though, is that I have given myself a new happy beginning. A beginning that we all deserve, a chance to learn to love us, an opportunity to change perspectives, a fraction of a moment that changes everything.
By Daziann Rivera
MODEL WEARING CLOTHES FROM 710 FASHIONS IN THIS PHOTO DESIGNER DENISE WASHINGTON