I used to be a size twelve. I cherished those moments because I was comfortable in my skin.
Now my collar bones can hold enough water to feed a three-year-old baby for a day.
The stretch marks on my laps and shoulders are proof of how fast I lost weight.
I wanted to be among the figure 8 happening babes in school.
Most of my mates were skinny, and they paraded themselves like Agbani Derego. If I ever wanted to be among them, I had to lose weight, and I had to do it fast. I couldn’t lose the last opportunity I was given, so I set to work.
Bola gave me all sorts of bitter concoctions that will help me lose weight, and I gladly took them whilst smiling sheepishly. I didn’t want to disappoint her or other members of the group, so I kept my complaints to myself. According to them, I had a month to lose weight or forget about being part of the circle.
After a month of taking those unhealthy concoctions coupled with starving myself. I ended up looking like an abandoned sick child who was suffering from sickle cell anemia.
Bola and the other girls still said I didn’t fit in, and I wouldn’t be part of the group. They said I looked unhealthy. ” you were supposed to lose a few pounds,” Kehinde said. “I’m sure you have an inner sickness that you haven’t treated, that can only be the cause…
Before she finished her statement, I ordered them out of my room.
I felt so stupid, why did I have to go through with all that? Just to fit into a bevy of hungry-looking ladies.
To what end? So I will be among the popular “slim is bae” group.
I felt so weak and numb that I couldn’t even cry.
When the semester ended and I got home for the holiday, my mum cried bitterly.
I couldn’t tell her the reason for my sudden weight loss, I will only sound stupid so I kept mute when she asked and she concluded that it must be school stress. She hid me indoors for weeks and wouldn’t let our neighbors get a glimpse of me.
Fiction Fiction Fiction
…………………………………………………
This story is a product of the bandwagon fallacy.
The bandwagon fallacy describes believing something is true or acceptable only because it is popular.
The fallacy is also known as “jumping on the bandwagon” or argumentum ad populum (“appeal to the people”).
Most people want to feel among others, so they are willing to do whatever it takes to fit in.
While trying to follow the crowd, make sure you are following the right crowd.
Just because everyone does it doesn’t make it right.
So the next time you want to be among that group or do that thing you feel it’s popular, make sure it is the right thing.
What other instances of the bandwagon fallacy do you know or can you relate to?
Let us know in the comment section.
©Ruth Okarter