Every day, as women, we are bombarded with images of how we should look and how we ought to be shaped in order to be considered beautiful. But really, beauty comes anywhere you dare to look — be it the lovely Madeline Stuart, the young model with Down syndrome who is going to be walking NYFW or Project WomanKIND, a new body positive YouTube channel. Female celebrities are sometimes victims of their visibility due to Internet trolls who try to cut them down — but there are times when, just as Lena Dunham did not an hour ago on Instagram, they can use their visibility to fight back.
Lena posted this photo on her Instagram less than an hour ago in response to the trolls who were spewing some pretty awful stuff on another pic she had put up previously. She wrote in the caption:
“I just deleted a pic of me in my boyfriend’s underwear. Just an FYI, I don’t delete because I’m ashamed of my body — I delete because certain pics become hot beds for negativity. You think I want a teenager visiting my page and seeing a zillion comments about how fat I am? No, because that is hurtful to any person struggling, comparing, contrasting. So since the trollz came out, I will instead share a pic of me shining bright on my rightful throne (I’d wear any of these outfits btw).”
Yes, even an act of deletion can be an act of retaliation. Of course, we’re saddened that Lena had to delete the photos due to trolling, but we’re glad that she’s not doing it quietly. By responding to the haters in this manner, we think she’s leading by a better example for those teenagers who visit her page.
This isn’t the first time Lena has shown that she takes her role as a conspicuous celebrity quite seriously. Back in April, she’d put up this photo of herself stunning in workout gear. In the caption, she wrote:
Promised myself I would not let exercise be the first thing to go by the wayside when I got busy with Girls Season 5 and here is why: it has helped with my anxiety in ways I never dreamed possible. To those struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression: I know it’s mad annoying when people tell you to exercise, and it took me about 16 medicated years to listen. I’m glad I did. It ain’t about the ass, it’s about the brain. Thank you @tracyandersonmethod for showing me the light (and @bandierfit is where I bought my Florida mom inspired workout look.) #notsponsored #stillmedicated
True to her word, the girl is NOT ashamed of her body (and why would she be?). This is a photo Lena posted of herself two months ago in gorgeous green lacy lingerie. She captioned this one: “Love my @lonelylingerie and I think I will wear it to dinner with some boots & a smile because we are all very lucky to be free.”
Preach, Lena.
What do you think of Lena’s response? Tell us in the comments below!
(Photos via Eugene Gologursky/Getty + @lenadunham)
