Critical Resource response #2: Izzy

Izzy Pizza

Word Count: 504

Why are so many Americans afraid to be fat or even gain a little bit of weight? Society holds such high standards for both men and women but especially holds a high standard for women to look a certain way. Kelli Jean does a ted talk called “Enough With the Fear of Being Fat” where she describes that it is okay to be fat even though society holds a high standard for the size a perfect woman should be. In this essay I will argue that society's standards are ridiculous, Women should not have to feel less than skinny women and can do the same things they do, and bigger women should feel confident and beautiful too.

Society makes it seem that every woman or man should not be fat to look and feel good about themselves. Society is very judgemental especially towards the way people look. Kelli Jean says in her ted talk “We live in a culture where being fat is seen as being a bad person”. I think this is disgusting some people think this way. Being bigger than most people should not be seen as gross or you are deemed a bad person just because you’re seen as overweight. Society needs to lower their standards and stop focusing on the way other people look.

Even though some women are deemed too big to do sports or even modeling it should not stop them from doing what they love. “There are fashionistas who reclaim their bodies and their beauty by wearing fatkinis and crop tops, exposing the flesh we are all taught to hide” (Kelli Jean). Just because a woman is not as skinny as other women it should not stop them from wearing certain things or try modeling and sports. Women are told to hide their curves or bigger bodies by society but it should be the opposite. I'm glad to see plus size models and women being advocates for other women who want to embrace their bodies because they should.

One big thing that bothers me is when plus size or bigger women do not have confidence or feel beautiful in their bodies because of what other people have said to them. Kelli Jean mentions this in her ted talk “Because a confident fat woman is almost unthinkable”. Why should they not get to feel confident when skinny women do? This makes me mad because women already face such harsh judgment from society. I think every woman should feel confident and beautiful no matter what size or race they are.

In conclusion, people should not fear being fat. They should embrace their bodies and feel beautiful. Society needs to lower their standards and realize not everyone looks the same and that is perfectly fine and normal. This is so important to bring awareness to because I think women should know they can feel beautiful and love their bodies no matter what size they are.