on my mind: perceptions of beauty

I follow a handful of blogs about being a curvy gal — mostly for fashion (not that I’m all that fashionable, although I aspire to be one day).  But I’ve found in these blogs strong female voices about topics such as health at any size, positive body image and self-confidence. Really, I think any person, male or female, petite or plus-size, could use such positive voices in their life.  Because we all really are quite beautiful in our individual ways.

I’ve also been watching Mike & Molly, a new relationship sitcom with the twist that both lead characters battle their weight through Overeaters’ Anonymous. It started out “meh” with every other joke from the main characters to their families being about fat. That gets old fast. But now it’s morphed a bit — fewer self-deprecating fat jokes and more laugh-out-loud jokes.  Melissa McCarty is absolutely beautiful, glowing and quirky. Billy Gardell is charming and cuddly. Kudos to Chuck Lorre Productions for supporting the show.  It’s one of the first times in my 33 years on the planet when I’ve seen someone in a leading lady role that looks more like me and it’s refreshing to be represented as positive and lovable in the media.

Recently the plus-size blog world has been writing about  Marie Claire’s article by Maura Kelly about the show Mike and Molly and perceptions of people the author terms “overweight and unhealthy” (although I’m not sure I trust the fashion industry to have an accurate perception of what average weight or health is.)    I did not find the article an enjoyable read; I actually found it quite short-sighted and judgmental.  I also feel that Marie Claire who has been “trying” to show a slightly larger variety of body types in their photos just shot themselves in the foot by publishing an article like this. I know that I won’t be picking up their magazine anytime soon much less visiting their website.

Ms. Plumcake, one of my favorite bloggers, wrote a perfect response to the article.

I wanted to write a scathing well-thought review of the article myself but I can’t find the words.  While the article angered me initially, it left me feeling really sad for Ms. Kelly and her perception of people and their beauty.  It’s so narrow, how can she find enough beauty to bring her joy in life?  But then, I don’t find beauty in size or expensive clothes or cookie-cutter looks — I find it in people and their stories and quirks. And perhaps that’s where the difference lies.