REAL culture change.
“There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
-Amanda Gorman
REAL SOLUTION.
Our appearance-obsessed culture has caused our body image problems. We must come together, change this culture, and solve these problems.
SHIFTING CULTURAL BELIEFS
Cultural Belief:
“Thinner is
Better”
BE REAL Shift:
“A Personal, Healthy Ideal”
Our bodies are instruments, not ornaments.
Cultural Belief:
“Fixating on
Appearance”
BE REAL Shift:
“Focus on Taking Care of Yourself”
It’s about the process, not the results.
Cultural Belief:
“Judging People
on Appearance”
BE REAL Shift:
“Recognizing People Come in All Shapes and Sizes”
It’s about compassion, not comparison.
BE AWARE.
Education Advocacy
76% of kids who learned about body confidence felt more positive about themselves
BODY CONFIDENT KIDS:
- Are more likely to look after their bodies
- Are more likely to value health over appearance
- Have better general mental health
- Are more likely to participate both in the classroom and in activities outside of school
- Have improved chances of fulfilling their potential — particularly academically
BE AWARE.
Education Advocacy
76% of kids who learned about body confidence felt more positive about themselves
BODY CONFIDENT KIDS:
- Are more likely to look after their bodies
- Are more likely to value health over appearance
- Have better general mental health
- Are more likely to participate both in the classroom and in activities outside of school
- Have improved chances of fulfilling their potential — particularly academically
BE BOLD.
Legislative Advocacy
BE REAL currently supports three legislative policy initiatives endorsed by STRIPED, the eating disorder prevention incubator at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“I am an expression of the divine, just like a peach is, just like a fish is. I have a right to be this way…I can’t apologize for that, nor can I change it, nor do I want to… We will never have to be other than who we are in order to be successful…We realize that we are as ourselves unlimited and our experiences valid. It is for the rest of the world to recognize this, if they choose.”
― Alice Walker, The Color Purple
