The phrase “the best protest to capitalism is to love yourself” is one we’ve heard a lot, but do we ever think about the degree to which capitalism induces self-hatred?
It is widely known that shaving and razor companies invented the stigma attached to body hair, completely out of thin air. The marketing of this narrative, that (largely) women’s body hair is unsanitary and obscene has led to the majority of women believing that body hair is unnatural-and yet, everyone has it. Razor companies, like Gillette, who are now creating a more positive narrative within their company, fabricated ideas about body hair in order to create profit. Schemes outwardly telling all genders that, in particular, women’s body hair is not hygienic and should be gotten rid of, were created from baseless ideas on body hair, merely to make money. The introduction of negative feelings towards women’s body hair has, over time, led to an almost worldwide hatred of body hair, with people who choose to keep their body hair seen either as “making a statement” or as unhygienic.
Another way that capitalism benefits from, and causes, self-hatred is through the marketisation of diets and exercise. Concepts such as gym memberships, groups aiming to “help” people to lose weight, and diet supplements, are ways that the ruling class capitalise from insecurities which are also social constructs.
Having influencers support these products, as well as marketing them on television or through other media outlets, a strong message is sent to people. This is, in general, that being hairless, being smaller, and weighing less, is the best way to exist in this world. Controlling people’s views about themselves and others only benefits a capitalist system, but a person’s existence alone has value, and their existence should be on their terms entirely.
Written by Kate Hopwood
Artwork by Zara Masood
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