Recently in the news, there has been a story circulating about a so-called "plus-sized model" in the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. Apparently this is the first "plus-sized model" the magazine has ever used, so this was supposed to be a big deal. But, seriously, that model is the same size, if not smaller, than the average woman. Robin Lawley, the model, is a size 12, while the average woman is a size 14. (And she has no pubic hair in the picture, just btw.) Alright, you can still be stoked that they're not using a size 0. But seriously? Plus-sized? The other models are minus-sized.
Ashley Graham, the other model everyone was freaking out about, still isn't plus-sized. She wears a size 14/16, the average size for women. And she was featured in an advertisement, for which Sports Illustrated was paid!
Ashley Graham, the other model everyone was freaking out about, still isn't plus-sized. She wears a size 14/16, the average size for women. And she was featured in an advertisement, for which Sports Illustrated was paid!
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On the left, Ashley Graham in an advertisement that appeared in Sports Illustrated for "Swimsuits for All".
On the right, Robin Lawley in the editorial section of the same Sports Illustrated issue.
On the right, Robin Lawley in the editorial section of the same Sports Illustrated issue.
This leads me to another important discussion about the positive and negative connotations with the words "skinny" and "fat", respectively. "Skinny" is often taken as a compliment, because of society's warped perception of beauty. "Fat" is often taken as an insult, also because of society's warped perception of beauty.
These words are just adjectives.
Too many people have been harmed in the quest to be "skinny," to be what society views as ideal. But let me tell you a little secret that more people should know: society is fucked up. Big time.
You don't have to be emaciated to be beautiful. If you're overweight, I'm sure you're beautiful, too.
But another issue with our society is that we value beauty far too much. There are so many campaigns directed towards women and girls to make them feel "beautiful." Why not target women and girls to make them feel smart, or accomplished, or successful? I like these adjectives better.
Next time you go to compliment someone, instead of automatically reach for words such as "pretty" or "skinny", go for intelligent, driven, confident, clever, or funny.
These words are just adjectives.
Too many people have been harmed in the quest to be "skinny," to be what society views as ideal. But let me tell you a little secret that more people should know: society is fucked up. Big time.
You don't have to be emaciated to be beautiful. If you're overweight, I'm sure you're beautiful, too.
But another issue with our society is that we value beauty far too much. There are so many campaigns directed towards women and girls to make them feel "beautiful." Why not target women and girls to make them feel smart, or accomplished, or successful? I like these adjectives better.
Next time you go to compliment someone, instead of automatically reach for words such as "pretty" or "skinny", go for intelligent, driven, confident, clever, or funny.
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