Fat Chance, Charlie Vega

by Crystal Maldonado

I’ve started by following a ton of women who post photos of themselves proudly and free from Facetune. They are not apologetic about their bodies; they don’t hide beneath a million layers. Some wear fatkinis and crop tops. Others don’t necessarily show off skin but embrace the kind of beautiful, high-fashion looks I’ve always coveted. I do my best to participate, too. I comment with others who are active in the movement and, at the encouragement of one, have been trying to take and post more pictures of myself on my own Insta when I can, hoping to normalize what my own body looks like. It’s been nice to follow some people who have bodies that look like mine, especially when they’re often the first to leave an encouraging comment on my posts. It’s a slow process. But I’m trying.