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Body shaming is a serious issue in today’s world. With the popularity of the internet and social media, bullying and ridicule is only heightened. While we’re often told to ignore our haters, or be the bigger person in instances with body shaming and taunting, sometimes that’s easier said than done. Sometimes, cases of body shaming are taken way too far.
You may remember a highly publicized situation regarding a Playboy Playmate named Dani Mathers. About a year ago, the woman posted a photo on her Snapchat showcasing an elderly naked woman in a locker room accompanied by a picture of Dani laughing. She wrote: “If I can’t unseen this then you can’t either.”
The photo sparked instant outrage for a multitude of reasons. Aside from the obvious fact that Dani had taken the photo without the woman knowing and completely invading her privacy, Dani was publicly and brutally body shaming an innocent woman. While Dani attempted to apologize on her social media pages multiple times, it was clear that the damage had been done, and people were not willing to forget the incident, especially the victim in the photo.
The 71-year-old woman decided to fire back and press charges against the Playmate, and Dani was brought to court and charged with misdemeanor invasion of privacy for what she had done. At the end of it all, Dani received three years of probation and has to perform 30 hours of graffiti removal service.
If Dani’s case had gone to trial, she could have faced up to 6 months in jail for invasion of privacy. With the final verdict now available to the public, some are rejoicing that the 29-year-old Playmate was rightfully punished for her act, but others don’t think she was given a tough enough sentence. Some are even saying she should have to be a registered sex offender.
Regardless of how people personally feel about Dani’s punishment, the incident brings up a whole host of issues, in particular the damaging and long term of effects of body shaming. Whether you are a victim of public ridicule for the way you look, or you are the one doing the bullying, it is not an innocent act. Dani’s act of bullying and body shaming got her into actual legal trouble.
This story is an important reminder to always treat people with kindness, and not to judge or make fun people for how they look. Not only can you really damage someone’s self esteem and hurt their feelings, but if you take things too far, you can get in some serious trouble.
What do you think of this story and the punishment Dani received? Do you think she should have received a harsher sentence?
