Commentary
Ashley Terrien

America as a country, like many others, has it’s share of stereotypes thrust upon it’s inhabitants.

For example; all Americans are rude and stupid or stuck up and rich. But most cliché of all; all Americans are enormous, McDonald’s eating, engorged pigs. Or more simply put, fat.

This stereotype may very well be the root of my frustration.

No, as you may be thinking, I am by no ones definition morbidly obese or even moderately overweight. Quite the opposite actually, according to many of the people who fall under such categories, I am so dangerously underweight that if I don’t go order myself a “Big Mac” I could be swept away by the wind.

However, I am nowhere near skinny enough to be considered unhealthy or anorexic as I have been called by many overweight busy bodies.

I’m not quite sure if it’s jealousy, impaired eyes, or just pure ignorance. At first glance you can clearly see that my joints do not protrude farther than the rest of my appendages. I do eat regularly. And I most definitely do not hack up my meals immediately following their consumption.

But this doesn’t stop stranger or familiar from coming up to me and telling me that I am too skinny and asking what it is that I do to stay so small.

The sad part is, when I give them the answer they don’t believe me. Is it so uncommon for one to not eat fast food? Is there something wrong with loving natural foods or drinks and turning down a Monster? Did playing sports and never owning video games suddenly become a crime? Just because someone enjoys to take care of their body does not make them an alien.

I am not in danger of sickness or death because I happen to have a small waist and neither are many other girls out there who share the same problem. Though this may not be the most mainstream problem, it is not uncommon for general ignorance to frustrate someone who is healthy and comfortable with who they are.

Being skinny is not a crime. It is not uncommon. And it does not mean you have a disease.

Thin is not unnatural. Nor is it only for supermodels and movie stars.

Having a small waist is just as normal as having a large one. It depends largely on you, your lifestyle and your choices. Both are beautiful, both can get a guy and both will always exist.

So eat your own double bacon ranch cheeseburger of fatness and I’ll stick to my nice long carrots.