All About That What?

I normally don't do this, but I think I'm ready to stir up some discussion.
I've had the Meghan Trainor song, "All About that Bass" stuck in my head a lot recently.  It's a catchy tune, and it attempts to break down societal ideals of "beauty."  However, I can't ignore the fact that she builds herself up by bringing others down, and bases her worth on the attentions of the opposite sex.  Let's analyze these lyrics.

I'll start by giving you the lyrics to the verses so you can have some context if you're not familiar.

Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I'm supposed to do
'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazine working' that Photoshop
We know that shit ain't real
C'mon now, make it stop
If you got that beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up
'Cause ever inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."
You know I won't be no stick figure Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

I'm bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that
No I'm just playing.  I know you think you're fat
But I'm here to tell ya
Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top


"I ain't no size two."  Let me begin by telling you a little something about myself: I happen to be a size two.  A natural, unsolicited size two.  That's the body God gave me.  I'm grateful for my health, but my size really doesn't concern me much.  Why is she singling me out?  (I wouldn't normally take it personally, but for the sake of argument, let's just go with it.)

"I got that boom boom that all the boys chase."  So, since I'm small, I can assume from her lyrics that I don't have the "boom boom."  Boys don't chase me around, but I sincerely doubt that has anything to do with my lack of "boom boom."  It's probably because I'm obnoxious and I scare them away.  I can guarantee it has more to do with my loud personality.

"Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."  Throughout the song, Trainor makes the case that her body is beautiful the way it is.  And it is.  She's hot!  If I swung that way, I'd be into that!  However, she measures her worth not based on her personal beauty, self respect, her rockin' musical talent, or her identity.  She measures her worth based on boys wanting to hold her booty.  Come on, Meghan.  You're awesome!  You don't need to base your worth on what boys can get from you!!  You just do you!

"You know I won't be no stick figure Barbie doll."  Again, I'm going to reference the issue of skinny shaming.  Do women who have "Barbie doll" features any less human? (maybe some are because they are partly made of plastic, but either way, they still have souls, right?)

"Skinny bitches"  Not all skinny people are bitches.  And not all people with "that bass" are lazy, as the stereotype goes...

"I know you think you're fat, but I'm here to tell ya every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top."  Don't assume that skinny people are obsessed with staying that way.  I don't think I'm fat.  I know I'm small.  But I'm also not perfect.  No one is, and that's just part of the beauty of life!  But I also don't need you to tell me I'm "perfect" for me to feel good about myself.  Thanks for the encouragement, but you tore me down before you built me up with superficial and inaccurate positivity.

I am beautiful because I am part of this life that we all share.  We are all beautiful because we are all loved.  Don't let your self worth/ideal of beauty be based on size or sexuality.

All that being said, the song rocks and I appreciate that she's trying to break the mold.  I just don't really like the mold she's trying to make.  But, if it sparks discussion, it's worth it!
"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."

Blessings

Last week was a very exciting time for my family.  Mom and I went to Missouri to celebrate.
I have a cousin who is beginning a new journey.  If you knew where she came from, and where she is now, you'd be absolutely astounded.  I won't go into any gruesome details, but basically her life was heading in one direction, and now, because of faithful and supportive loved ones, and the power of God, her life is heading in the opposite direction.  We've spent many nights, days, hours, minutes, and tears praying for her.  Now, I can't wait to see how this new chapter of her life unfolds.
Congratulations!
Another exciting thing is the birth of our newest family member.  Another blessing after a storm.  New births are always reason to be grateful, but this particular one has something extra special, healing, and miraculous.  Praise be to God for the beauty of life!  (also, I got to hold the new baby before my mother!  That has never happened before!)

Now I will conclude with the lyrics of a song that has been an inspiration: "Blessings" by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way to much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops,
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near,
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise fromYour word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

What if Your blessings come through raindrops,
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near,
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us, When darkness seems to win, we know
The pain reminds this heart that this is not,
This is not our home!
It's not our Home!

What if Your blessings come through raindrops,
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you're near?
What if my greatest disappointments,
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?
What if trials of this life,
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
Are Your mercies in disguise?