The Thin Backlash

You know what movie I hate? “Real Women Have Curves.” I’ve never seen the film; I just hate its title and all its implications. Euphemisms aside (Marilyn Monroe had “curves;” others, not so much), there is no one body shape that makes someone a “real woman” or have “real beauty” (Dove, I’m looking at you and your patronizing campaign).

In America, most women you see on the street are overweight. That doesn’t mean that’s the way women are “supposed” to be. There is no “supposed” to be… except for “supposed to be no wiener.” I understand that women want to feel attractive despite perceived flaws, but there’s no need to put down skinny women because of it. So some people think women with big boobs, big hips, and big butts are the bomb. And they hate that magazines show ultra-thin models. But trust me, there’s some skinny-minnie 13-year-old girl reading nasty letters to the editor about how thin women are “disgusting,” “unattractive,” and “built like boys,” and crying her eyes out. You certainly don’t like it when people put down fat women; what makes you think its OK to turn the tables?

I think its laudable to work for acceptance of different body types. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of people’s feelings. Instead, let’s work for making looks less important and smarts/personality/wit/compassion the real measure of beauty. And for God’s sake, stop the sniping!

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