One of my best friends Matilda Rutendo Matangaidze took the time to answer some questions I prepared concerning body image, I can say her views are truly worth a read! I also challenged her to write a poem on body image as well, which is the next post. Thanks Mati, you're a phenomenal woman who truly doesn't mince her words.
The Questionnaire
Please tell us a bit about Matilda
My name is Matilda Matangaidze, I’m 21 plus a few years…uuum I recently finished my Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising and I’m working in a marketing department. I would describe myself as highly energetic person with a very loving soul. I love socializing and seeing the good in everyone. I come from a very extended family so I guess it contributed to my ability to be so outspoken and bubbly!
What do you understand by the term body image?
To me body image is a term that is being used by society to put people in boxes, it’s either you’re to tall or skinny or fat or whatever. Body image in my eyes is society's new way of bullying but in a more “acceptable” approach.
What is true beauty in your understanding?
True beauty in my understanding is beauty from within that can be seen outside. Ain't nothing beautiful about a good physical appearance but a nasty soul.
What do you like the most about your physical self?
Mmmmhhhh what do I like most guuurrrl where to begin lol just kidding. Well, I would have to say my face wait that is a physical feature right..
Lol. Yes your face is a physical feature Mati! But have you ever been judged because of the way you look? How did it make you feel?
All the time ooh my word I have had so many people judge me before I even open my mouth just cause I'm a bit heavier. Of course I'm human it hurt me to the core.
How have you dealt with as a woman?
I learnt to love myself and accept those that love me for me and ignore those that are close minded and have negative and belittling thoughts.
What is your “feel-good”? (Something you do to boost your confidence)
SELFIES SELFIES SELFIES lol there is just something amazing about seeing ur smile or your eyes on a picture that gets you like okay you look good.
Who or what inspires your your “feel-good”?
My camera lol and of course my makeup kit shout out to GOSH, MAC and NYX products.
How does body image influence the way young people think and treat each other - in your understanding- be it at work, school, home or even social gatherings?
I am actually so glad you asked me that question the way people in general not even the younger generations are now so into what the next person looks like is disturbing. Its like if you don’t look a certain way its hard for you to gain acceptance for example with this whole "yellow bone" trend among Africans it's become so bad that now you have grown men and women bleaching their perfectly natural skin complexion for what? Body image is becoming such a big concern in society that if its not addressed the generations after us won't get very far.
In today’s world, people are often judged by their physical appearance to gain acceptance. Do you agree? (If not, tell us why)
Yes I do very much there is no denying that. Its not a secret that you are now judged on your physical appearance before you do anything for example with most airlines, I as a plus size girl could meet all the health and language requirements to work on their airline but 99% chance is that they will never hire me. Why? Because I do not fit their physical image which I think is just wrong. Being quick to judge someones appearance can assist in you losing the moon while chasing the stars.
Can you say you have low self-esteem?
No not anymore I did once upon a time though.
NO not at all its crazy cause men are judged just as much as women I actually know for a fact that short guys for example feel that they need to prove their worth more than tall guys why because according to society its not okay for a guy to be short, you understand? It's so easy for a guy to have his self esteem shot down even more than girls or women.
Thank you for accepting my poem challenge! What has it made you realize about yourself?
Lol Rudo really? Well I think it has helped me find my inner strength and touch on an issue I had no idea I had the strength to speak about.
Thanks for taking you time to answer these questions. As a last word, any advice you would want to give to young women around the world, struggling to accept their physical true beauty?
I think I just want them to all know that beauty starts within and beauty isn’t just physical appearance. It's so much easier for others to accept you if you have accepted yourself its so much harder to judge someone who doesn’t care what you think you know, so if you cannot accept yourself because of what you hear people saying master the art of blocking out the negativity. If its an issue with what you’ve been through you need to let it go baby girl and move on every woman is beautiful in her own regard you can never look like the next girl its not how its meant to be make your own beauty shine and don’t try to be a photocopy.
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