A girl was relaxing on the beach, hoping to take some stunning bikini photos. But as soon as she removed her sarong and started posing, some guys behind her began laughing and mocking her. Shelly wasn’t bothered by it at all and continued with her photoshoot. Later that same evening, she wrote a long post that was read by millions of people online. “To the guys who pointed at me and laughed when I took off my sarong, exposing my soul (my bikini body), I just want to say (excuse my French) GO TO HELL.

People like you make others ashamed of their bodies. Because of people like you, women feel embarrassed to wear bikinis, crop tops, or mini dresses in public. Because of you, people starve themselves and make themselves throw up to achieve a model figure.

Because of you, people walk around in long sleeves all year long because they’re too ashamed to show their arms. People like you are the reason others suffer from anorexia, obesity, bulimia, inflict pain on themselves, and commit suicide. No, you’re not responsible for every single case. But YES, you should be accountable for your actions.

So the next time you see someone like me (in a bikini or similar situation), think before you laugh or point a finger, and realize the harm you could cause. Not everyone, young or old, man or woman, is as thick-skinned, flexible, and confident as someone like me. I’ll admit, for a second, I almost caved and wanted to cover myself back up with my sarong. But then I remembered who I am, held my head high, and proudly strutted around the beach in that bikini.”