As I shared in class today, Beauty and the Beast really hit home for me because I remember a time when I was a size 7 wearing those tight Levi and Sasoon jeans. My friends and I would trade jeans to get the tightest fit possible. I remember walking as though I had pieces of cardboard plastered to my legs and not being able to exhale, God forbid eat anything, for sure the zipper would have busted. At first I thought it was cute, getting all that attention from the boys and all my friends commenting on how nice I looked, etc. I've always been a person that liked clothes and affordable fashion, not that runway model stuff. But, one day something in me clicked. I had to stop and think, why do these boys like me? Why do my friends like me? Is it because I fit into the mode set by society. I finally realized that society and the media were pulling my strings. Maybe some of you remember the song "Brick House" by the Commodores

Ow, she's a Brick House
she's mighty mighty
and let it all hang out. . .
36, 24, 36, . . .

In the African American culture, the things that are acceptable big butts, hips, and chest but still on a small frame were looked upon as she has it going on. But in the average American culture these features were not viewed as acceptable. If you were 5'6" and over, long hair, with long, slim legs, perfectly round boobs, a small waistline with flat abs, and a little caboose, give yourself a party your deemed as acceptable in the worlds eyes. Women have to be taught to love themselves exactly the way they are. Don't be afraid to look yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, I love me, you go girl. Noone can love you better than you. We have to stop letting men, other women and society dictate who and how we should be. We don't have to be influenced by anybody but ourselves. We have to empower ourselves and be confident in who we are. Take control and love you.