Female body hair remains one of the most controversial topics in varied conversations regarding body positivity. There are many women who will happily speak out against unrealistic ‘ideals’ regarding size, age and skin color, but who think keeping and showing off your natural hair is a step too far.
Recently, Twitter user @iranikanjari posted some innocuous snaps of herself in underwear and a t-shirt. These images show her stomach as well as the natural body hair that pretty much every human being has in that area. Cue Twitter troll meltdown. @iranikanjari’s mentions prove what we all know: the internet isn’t exactly a gender equal space. A ton of idiots have told her to buy a razor; some lunatic even went to the trouble of photoshopping the hair away.
@iranikanjari so mad I grew up ashamed of my body hair. We need more women like this that love themselves for young women to look up to
— kass (@cosmokass) January 3, 2016
However, there are also hundreds of tweets in support of her natural body and the confidence she has to share it with the world. “Oh my god do you know how much confidence this gives me THANK you you’re beautiful,” one commenter wrotes, with others adding, “So mad I grew up ashamed of my body hair. We need more women like this that love themselves for young women to look up to.” “This is my goal, I want to be as confident as you with my body hair,” another wrote. “lol these boys want a hairless mammal tell them to start looking for dolphins”.
i had been meaning to do this pic.twitter.com/vowerytKHM
— pakola papi (@iranikanjari) January 4, 2016
IRL reactions have clearly varied, as @iranikanjari posted a selfie last night with the caption, “The face of a girl who just got bitch slapped by her mom but convinced her that I’m empowering women.” She later posted a video to thank all the people who have supported her: “Thank you to everyone who’s being super sweet. I a nerd, so I don’t know why I deserve all this attention, but I’m gonna take it!” she says grinning. @iranikanjari, you are awesome!