Kit-N-Kadoodle
Christian, LGBT, Pan-Sexual. I am happily married. My blog showcases my drawings, and other tumblrings I find interesting. Huzzah.
Reposting this as a set…
I created this series (which I plan to do more) because I need to vent…
Ever notice how in a lot of media overweight individuals like myself are depicted in a really unfavorable way?
The Fat Character is usually:
The Butt of the jokes.
Always making cracks about food
Hardly represented as the main character
comedic relief
The list goes on and on. But can you tell me a mainstream movie or television show that has an overweight female character as the LEAD that is actually respectful?
It is really hard to name more than a handful and I just think that is really unfair…
Hi Everyone. My name is Kit. I have a thyroid disorder that doesn’t make it easy to lose weight. I have recently begun the long journey towards living a healthier lifestyle. It’s going to be a hard battle… but I hope to come out on the other side with less anxiety and a positive outlook on life.
In the meantime, I have a major issue with society and how people perceive those of us who are bigger than others. I dare any of you to find me more than a handful of deep, thought out characters who are plus-sized. And then try to give me some that are female. (Sadly, this list is WAY too short…)
The Media loves to depict those of us who are heavier with utter disrespect. Here are a few examples that I see the most:
* They choose to show as the foil to which the thinnier, prettier character is pitted against so she she can avoid becoming the ugly, crazy woman who let her life spiral out of control. (recently seen in the show, Fresh off the Boat.)
*Hollywood loves to depict plus size women in the role of the idiotic character. The one who enjoys eating, and cracking jokes about avoiding exercise. (Fat Amy, many of Melissa McCarthy’s latest characters)
*We are rarely, if ever cast as the MAIN character. I can’t even think of a popular plus-sized, female character in which the story is centered upon. Even heavier men are cast as “The Buddy” character (Bolin, from LOK is an example) or the Middle-aged idiotic Fat man who has the skinny wife.
*Popular Cultures creates insulting terms like “DUFF” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to harm and label their peers.
Society tells us that being overweight is the ugliest thing that a woman can be. There are thousands of products out there geared toward weightloss. There is even reality TV shows that force contestants into a contract and nearly kill them for ratings. All because we all want to LOOK skinny. We all want to open a magazine, turn on a movie and see a skinnier version of ourselves looking back.
I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of this mindset. I am losing weight because I am already facing elevated blood pressure, and I’m only in my mid-20s. I also have high anxiety so that doesn’t help me either.
Living life isn’t about being Thin, or even fitting in. Be yourself. LOVE youself. LOVE ALL of yourself. Take care to understand that your self worth doesn’t equal what the scale says.
Love you guys. I will be creating more of my “Fat with Feelings” series. Please share this picture so others can be encouraged! Lets aLL BE WIDE WARRIORS.
~Kit