There is more shaming to go...

When you think of the current social issues that plague our Facebook feeds and feminist agendas, topics like “Fat shaming”, “skinny shaming” and “bad hair” come to mind.  While very important and interesting to explore, these topics are problematic in that there are inevitably more issues equally important left unexplored.  I would like to address some of the lesser known means of oppression and signifiers of patriarchy that are just as common, if not more so, than the aforementioned issues.

To start, let’s take a look at “Smell Shaming.”  This issue is very real; how often, in your life, have you been told to “take a shower, you stink?”  Why are we privileging one sense (sight; “you look fat, and are therefore unhealthy, you look too skinny, and are therefore unhealthy”) over another?  The stinkiest humans need social justice and protection as well!  What is it about bad smells that gives us permission to snark and giggle at another's expense, or worse, exclude the perpetrator?  Smell shaming is very real, and every bit as damaging as its better known siblings.

I will admit to “smell shaming”.  Just the other day I lit a candle and opened a window, not discreetly enough, and caused someone to feel embarrassed and hurt.  I know now that I should sniff and bear it, much like I should give all the overweight elementary school children a hearty “thumbs up” and blare some Taylor whats-her-face body positive anthem.  Clearly bad eating habits affecting weight, and smell, are equally rude to comment upon, or take action for or against!

After “smell shaming” comes “touch shaming.”  This can be as simple as choosing not to hold a particular child’s hand in kindergarten (they have cold hands/sweaty hands etc) or engaging in the awkward “back pat hug minimum physical contact.”  Next, we could mention "taste shaming".  Every time you do not eat one of your friend's grandmas secret stew, a fairy dies.  Of course, a discussion of eliminating all choice and discretion must include "voice shaming."  All music is wonderful because it is cruel to suggest, and clearly a deeply entrenched system of patriarchy, that would suggest any voice is irritating, grating, or off-key.  There are more issues to explore, and “fat shaming” is the mere tip of the iceberg.  To ignore the full extent of our human free will would be toxic to the new, emerging world order.

Love,

the Hawk