Total. Hottie.
Why is this news? Why are hundreds of thouands of people writing in to Glamour about this subject just hours after the issue hit newsstands?
It's news because (for once) the people made it the news. Glamour didn't run this photo on their cover or in a full-page feature. It was a blip. A blip that became a worldwide sensation. The media didn't pick up on this picture first. WE did. That's a pretty refreshing change of pace, if you ask me. So now, because of popular demand, the media is covering this story. While it may seem innocuous that Lizzie Miller threw back her head and laughed in the face of beautiful belly rolls, it's not.
Commenters are lining up to say things like, "Finally, a model who looks like me!" Oddly enough, the fashion industry seems surprised at this reaction. Wait, you'd rather not be chastised for chasing that salad with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie? You think Lizzie Miller is an more appealing role model than Kate Moss?! How dare you unwashed masses dictate your desires! Go back to JC Penney!
I suspect that people in the fashion industry really are aware of the detriment they do by touting an unrealizable ideal. It doesn't matter to them, though. Part of the mystery, the intrigue, and the prestige of owning designer clothes is being able to fit into them. I feel as if designers would rather their clothes never touch human flesh, as if their designs should be hung on hangers in museums for admiration by all (See: Fashion Babylon). It's a paradox wherein creators create clothing but do not want them to be worn - which is the function of clothing.
It's not only the fashion industry that has such disdain for the "overweight" set. In fact, according to Newsweek, Americans hate fat people. Fat people represent the last bastion of open bigotry in the country. We feel justified in our hatred of those who are overweight because we can unanimously decree them as lazy - a burden to the environment or to the economy (Except, "healthy" people cost the government more in healthcare. It's true. NPR said so!). What we fail to see, when we approach this (or any) subject narrowmindedly, are the extenuating circumstances. There are lots of diseases and medications that cause people to gain weight (Hey Polycystic Ovary Syndrome! Hello Hypothyroidism! Hiya Depo-Provera!). As with all stripes of bigotry, we have fallen into a pit of stereotypes that we cannot escape.
It's hard to reconcile these two ideas. People the world over want to see more Lizzie Miller, but we also despise fat people? Either someone needs their journalism badge revoked or we're not getting the full picture.
The other thing that bugs me is all of these stories touting the "REAL women's response" to Lizzie Miller. Yeah, okay, I understand that angle, but tell me, where are all of the fake women hiding? They're saying that fashion models do not look like or represent real women. Aren't fashion models, ahem, REAL women? The media and advertisers use the term "real women," but what they are trying to connote is "average women." Average women are size 14-16. Average women are 5'2-5'4. Averages are tricky, though. There are plenty of outliers in these studies, and plenty of 6'4 women that bring the 4'11 women measurement up, on average. I'm not an average woman. Lizzie Miller doesn't represent me. Neither does Lindsay Lohan, or Kate Moss, or Beth Ditto. I'm just Grace, and I'm happy with that.
While Lizzie Miller doesn't represent me, she is what I would like to see more of in the media. I don't want it labeled under self-congratulatory headlines like "Our Magazine Features REAL Women (for once)." Let's just let it start creeping in, without comment, and see where it all goes!
I would like to hear someone say is, "Let's abolish standards altogether and just leave people the hell alone." (but with more of a libertarian backbone than an anarchical one) It seems to me that some people have tried to do this by advocating for health. You know what, though? Who's to say who's healthy or who's not, except that person's doctor. Beth Ditto might be bigger than me, but she sure is a hell of a lot more active than I am (ever seen her live show)? She might even have a lower resting heart rate than I do because of all of her cardio-like stage antics. The skinniest girl you know may be the most unhealthy girl you know. Your extra-curvy cubicle mate might have a more healthy heart and body than you. This just goes to show: Thin does not equal Healthy.
We're being pulled in too many directions. Americans hate fat people, but we love fat people too, when it serves our interests. Or maybe we all just have a lot of different opinions on this subject that can't be summed up into two neat opposing views.
So, instead of swapping out diplomatic terms, like "health," why don't we just focus on being all right with how we look no matter how we look.
WE the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union with a cheese pizza, want to have media standards more along the lines of Lizzie, not Lindsay. Is that too much to ask?
9 comments:
Excellent post, Grace.
Much appreciated, Kristina!!
Very well said! I think one of the problems is the lack of diversity (of all kinds). I would be sad if thin models were swapped out entirely for curvier or heavier ones, because as a thin girl I want models to represent me. I get sad when people say, "curves are beautiful," while slamming thin girls. I would love to have curves, but the fact of the matter is that I wear a size A bra and can't do anything about it! I would rather have people focusing on real health (like the fact that I need to get on an elliptical, even though I am thin, to keep my heart healthy!) and embrace a very diverse image of what that health can look like.
Amen! I am against thin-bashing just as much as I am against fat-bashing. It serves neither side of this debate to demonize anyone's weight - no matter what that is.
thumbs up!
Like MadernTanguera said, yeah I may be thin, but by all means I am not healthy, and yeah I wish I had curves, but unless I am willing to go spend thousands of dollars, I can't do a darn thing. I have nothing against bigger women, but like you said Grace, instead of shutting out all thin women, a nice variety is great to slowly squeeze in.
OK, but can I still make fun of people for being short? Or smelly? Or self-righteous?
[...] fashion industry that bothers me (like it’s inherent racism, it’s treatment toward the overweight, it’s out-of-touch snobbery, it’s refusal to change the skinniness-is-next-to-godliness [...]
[...] would be pretty cool to see Lizzie Miller in this element, since she’s kind of the woman that started this new plus-size fashion trend. The show will be conducted at The Atrium in Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln [...]
Post a Comment