Ignorance is bliss
A response to ‘Dying to be . . . fat’
AMY REDEKOPP VOLUNTEER STAFF
Chelse McKee’s March 14 article “Dying to be . . . fat” can be summarized in one simple word: ignorance. Ignorance has been defined as “lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified,” or “resulting from or showing lack of knowledge and awareness.”
A quick recap of McKee’s article: The world, instead of picking on anorexic models, should switch it up and project their hatred towards those who are more deserving of it, the “plus”-size role models such as Oprah, Queen Latifah, and Sara Ramirez (who I, coincidentally, find refreshing and beautiful). Her article radiates blaming, promotes hatred and discrimination, and sadly does not accurately present the facts. McKee has stated that “we see heavier-set women being promoted as sexy and successful.” For some reason unbeknownst to me, I cannot understand why this is wrong, or find the correlation between body size and self-worth.
Believe it or not, a tiny (or huge) number on the scale, or the size of your waistband, should not be used as a classification as sexy considering that it is an individual perception, or successful, which is a result of hard work, determination, drive, knowledge: all characteristics that are mental, not physical.
These overweight celebrities are proud of themselves for their accomplishments, their positive attributes, and for their ambition to succeed in thin-dominated Hollywood. Instead of basing their self-worth on the size of their hips and stomach, they base self-worth on something of value. They have made the decision to live their life the best they can instead of punishing themselves for not being able to count their ribs. They know that their size and physical appearance is not a limitation; they know that any size is beautiful and sexy; they know that if you feel good you look good; they know no matter what, they are talented, intelligent people who will rock this world in spite of haters.
Supposedly the average weight of Canadian females is 145 lbs.. The average weight of a female model is 108 lbs.. This is a difference of almost 40 lbs.! I can guarantee you that the majority of the Canadian population, at some point or another, has compared their body to that of a celebrity. And if that celebrity happens to be a model, they cannot help but feel negative about their body, considering this drastic weight difference. If an average-weight female can find solace in a celebrity who is considered overweight (maybe only because they are being compared to the underweight model) she deserves praise, not chastising.
I don’t understand why it is wrong to think of anybody as empowering, sexy, or successful. It is better than promoting hatred and discrimination. A positive role model is a positive role model, regardless of weight. If an individual is able to find somebody to look up to, find inspiration from, or relate to, the more power to them. I would rather idolize Oprah, who is successful, genuinely concerned about humankind, and strives to cease suffering and make the world a better place, than Naomi Campbell, who is also successful, but has been arrested numerous times, drug-addicted, and violent. Of the two of them, who would your rather have act as a role model for your future children? I bet the majority of you did not even consider weight or physical appearance in making your decision.
The debate about media’s influence on body image has been long and tedious, and frankly I am sick of hearing about it. It is common knowledge that celebrities influence body image and self esteem — this is always going to be the case — and it is up to us whether or not we allow the influence to be negative or positive. If one finds inspiration in the underweight model, so be it. If one finds inspiration in the overweight actress, so be it. As long as celebrities produce positive feelings of self-worth, let’s call the case closed.
Amy Redekopp is a third-year student of human nutritional sciences at the University of Manitoba.
