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Alex Mitchell Hidden Bias Reflection

Oof, this was a really tough assignment for me.

I've always known that I have multiple hidden biases surrounding weight & body type, namely because I struggle so much with accepting my own. I figured I'd bite the bullet & take the Hidden Bias test about weight, & the results were not cute, to say the least. I'm realizing that because I struggle with low self-esteem and accepting my physical appearance as worthy & normal, however it looks, I often judge people who have what my brain would consider "worse problems" with their weight. My attitude surrounding how I judge fat people is startling; I knew it was bad but not like this! It's this ridiculous, non-foundational melee of assumptions & thinking I've got all the right ideas/solutions.

In reality, people's weight is their own damn business, & it's also SUCH a fickle thing. Basically, anything can affect one's weight & physical appearance and thus does me, nor anybody else has the right to pass judgment & feed into harmful stereotypes. Looking inward, as the article mentioned towards the latter end when speaking about how to incite change for yourself, is the key here. I'm now realizing that I really need to take the time & be patient with myself so that I can allow the space for (more) genuine kindness towards & celebration of others & their beautiful physical selves.

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