Slut Shaming via Tumblr

So you may have seen this article on BuzzFeed, "Girl-On-Girl Crime: The 'Did You Know' Slut-Shamers of Tumblr". In case you're unfamiliar with the 'Did You Know' meme, here's a quick review of the original post and then here's a recap of the response to it.

It all originated with this extremely photo-shopped photo on Tumblr. Catch the irony here? Honestly, I think his intentions were good. But as Jezebel and Slacktory pointed out, their well-meaning message is actually one of misogynistic slut-shaming.

Why?

1. Women do not need a man's validation. See a recent post on Animals Talking in All Caps, which happens to be a fav of mine.

2. What the young man is referring to in this photo is, I believe, the "natural look". Now, speaking as a young woman, I do not go out of the house in my "natural" state. I take the time to do my hair, makeup, and put on nice clothing because that is my choice. If a woman does not want to do any of the above, or a mix of the above, then cool. Her choice. But the "natural look" that this man is referring to requires careful makeup application and styled hair. So one does, in fact, need makeup to look beautiful because that is the society we live in (see the New York Times discussion about the value of makeup for women).

3. This photo is an excellent example of girl-on-girl slut-shaming. Obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinions regarding dress and their own personal choices of how to dress themselves. Do I walk around in low-cut tops? Nope. Not my style. Do I make fun of women who do? Nope. Whatever they want to wear, they should wear. I am not, however, a fan of a woman wearing something specifically because it is "expected of her" or to "please a man". But that's a subject for another day.


Two things need to change here. First of all, men need to stop telling women how to be beautiful. Instead, they should accept and appreciate women for being exactly the way they are. Secondly, women need to stop attacking each other. Women should be the first to support each other, no matter what. How do we change? By being more supportive, understanding, and accepting.

Weighted Words

The New York Times recently published an article, "Female Stars Step Off the Scale". Author Alessandra Stanley cites such examples as Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Lady Gaga, Molly Tarlov, Rebel Wilson, Christina Aguilera, Christina Hendricks, and Kat Dennings. But let's take a closer look...

It's true that more diverse body types are shown on TV. But their bodies are the exception, not the rule. The women chosen in this article are the only women who don't fit the current hegemonic culture's beauty ideal. All of these women are well-known but primarily because of their weight. Type 'Christina Aguilera' into Google. Notice how the first search suggestion is 'Christina Aguilera weight'? The same applies to Christina Hendricks (her cup size is also frequently searched), Kat Dennings, and Molly Tarlov. Curiously, Rebel Wilson's name is the only Google search that brings up 'weight loss'. Why is it that these women, who aren't the Hollywood stereotype, are synonymous with weight? Why don't we hear these names and think of the Grammy awards, the Emmy nominations, the hit TV shows, the indie films, the brilliant comedic timing?

I believe that Stanley meant well when writing this article. By calling attention to the 'curvy women' on TV, then society is taking a step in the right direction toward total body acceptance. But the fact that this article exists is the problem. Stanley, just like every other media source, has connected these women's names with their weights. This problem won't go away just because a few 'curvy women' are in the spotlight. We have a long road ahead of us, America.