" I was bullied from fifth grade on. They started making fun of me because my mom was in a wheelchair, then they started making fun of me because I was poor and then it evolved to my size. "
- Tess Holliday

The quote reflects a painful journey through childhood bullying experienced by an individual who faced ridicule from fifth grade onward due to various aspects of their life, including their mother's disability and financial circumstances, as well as their body size. This personal account highlights how insults can evolve and intensify over time, targeting multiple facets of one’s identity.

The deep meaning behind this statement touches on the pervasive nature of bullying and its impact on self-esteem and social development. It illustrates how individuals often become targets for ridicule based not only on obvious characteristics like physical appearance but also more subtle aspects such as socioeconomic status or family circumstances. The evolution from mocking a single trait to criticizing multiple facets of one’s life demonstrates the complexity and cumulative effect of sustained bullying, which can have profound and lasting psychological effects. This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the need for greater awareness and intervention in addressing bullying behaviors within schools and communities.

Tess Holliday is an American model, actress, author, and body-positivity activist who has been vocal about her experiences with weight stigma and discrimination throughout her life. Her advocacy work focuses on promoting self-love and acceptance across diverse body types, aiming to challenge societal beauty standards and foster inclusiveness in the fashion industry and beyond.