A Woman's Opinion On the Decline of BBLs

The present widespread tendency to uplift women with microscopic waists and huge butts is coming to a close.

Although big butts have been a staple in the Black community for centuries, with odes to the biggest backsides being made famous by the likes of The Commodores, L.L. Cool J, and Sir-Mix-A-Lot, to name a few, the surgically-enhanced overly exaggerated backside is a relatively new phenomenon.

Nevertheless, this body type was commercialized via Kim Kardshian. Since then, it seems that women, and especially those in the industry, have been in a silent competition to see who could sculpt the biggest butt while also having the tiniest waist.

At any rate, celebrities seem to be eschewing this beauty standard in favor of natural, slimmer bodies. This is happening for many reasons; for instance, K. Michelle has been very public about the fact that her butt injections made her very ill and that removing them was a matter of life or death.

Blac Chyna is another example of a young woman who was forced to remove her injections for health reasons. Lastly, let’s not forget up-and-comer Ice Spice, who had done an almost 180-degree shift in appearance, going from entree back to snack — a far cry from the thick chick we met when she first uttered the word Munch.

Also, rapper Dream Doll recently went public with her regret over getting the surgery and the goal of getting her pre-BBL body back.

Congratulations to these ladies. As someone who has a bit of a yo-yo weight issue and who has always been more to-heavy than anything, I know how hard it can be to take a stand and do what’s best for your body, despite mainstream standards.

I hope these and other women following suit are starting to understand the importance of doing things for the right reasons. As women, we are all judged critically based on how our bodies are shaped, how we dress, the makeup we wear, etc. And yes, it’s great to feel desired. No matter how confident one may be, no one wants to be the undesired woman in the corner being ignored.

At the same time, we also have to be mindful that embracing these sudden and sometimes extreme shifts in beauty standards makes it easier for men, children, and even other women to discriminate against those who don’t measure up to the current trends.

I mean, we’ve already seen an uptick in the number of men renouncing BBLs as though they aren’t the same men who have been liking, tagging, and tipping the women who have them this whole time

Also, as some are starting to point out, entertainers seem to readily embrace this change as well.

I’m not here to come down on women for making enhancements to their own bodies. I am here to point out that many do so for the wrong reasons. If you have certain insecurities and can afford procedures that allow you to enhance those areas safely, I’m all for it. However, it would be best if you did your very best not to bend and break your mold to suit every whim of scatter-brained men.

Many men live to satisfy and appease other men. So, this is why the same men who told you that you were nothing without a BBL are now lining up to tell you that you look horrible with one.

I would urge women to ensure that all enhancements are obtained in safe environments and that your only goal should be to look your best, not bigger or better than anyone else.

This post originally appeared on Medium and is edited and republished with author's permission. 

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