Is it body shaming to have an opinion or comment on the choice of outfits or the seemingly inappropriate wear, accented by time and place, of individuals in our society?
Body shaming is described as “the act of criticizing or humiliating someone based on their physical appearance, which can have serious psychological and social consequences.” This involves “making negative or critical comments about someone’s body, including weight, height, skin, hair, facial features, or other physical traits, and it can be directed at others or oneself. It can occur in person, online, in workplaces, schools, or even medical settings.”
Is it then safe to say that, as a people, we have gotten progressively worse particularly highlighted by the recently staged St. Lucia carnival season? This is not about the behavior during the season. That issue has been dealt with and is getting more ridiculous by the minute with no meaningful improvement in sight.
This, however, is squarely concerned with attire and the excuse that the annual carnival celebration hands us to do even worse.
Don’t be misguided. The wide majority of St. Lucians enjoy a good Lucian Carnival. It is an occasion when pageantry meets culture, or is meant to, when Caribbean neighbours join in the celebration, when St. Lucians in the diaspora come home to “feel the vibe,” when local artistry is meant to go on display for the world to see. But, is that really what happens? If we are honest, we can only name one carnival band that is theme centered and retains the true spirit of what the festival was meant to be. No names mentioned.
What transpires is something entirely different. Don’t take our word for it, just briefly scrutinize the many photos and videos documenting this year’s event. Again, if we are honest, we will admit that our dress patterns, not only during the carnival season, have gotten a little less than tasteful. Particularly at carnival though, the theme seems to be “let’s do more with less.” And then there is fitment. Is it possible to comment objectively about an individuals’ choice of costume, how it sits on the body, the visual that’s on display, without being dragged through the mud for body shaming? Is it ok to say that the costumes are inappropriate or inappropriately worn? Is it ok to say that the cultural pageantry that this event is meant to be has become an occasion, an excuse to be vulgar, at least by some?
The predictable response from some to these concerns will instruct you that this annual festival has evolved over the years and it is what it is. Others may want to suggest that individuals have waited all year for the carnival season and it is just a way of relieving tension and expressing themselves.
It may be wise to take note, particularly the young females amongst us, that the document that the internet is will remember us however we choose to be recorded.
And where exactly are the churches and our leaders in all this?
While the church is sufficiently silent on the issue, save for one loud priest, some who are leaders in our society will tell you that carnival was never meant to be family entertainment while others will explain the financial benefits for the country, not excluding themselves. Even if all this is true, what are we selling and at what cost?
The sentiment of many suggests that the need to celebrate at carnival or any other event has little to do with the over exposure of ones’ body parts.
It is indeed interesting that Mark Twain would say “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”