For some reason, I actually watched the Academy Awards last night AND followed it on the Twitters. Inevitably, when Miss Angelina Jolie stepped up to present the awards for best original and adapted screenplays, the Twitters was all ablaze with suggestions on what meal Miss Jolie, who is a skinny woman, should consume: the often-mentioned sandwich, pies, hot dogs, shakes…I’m sure bacon was on the menu as well (mmm bacon). My FAVORITE tweet on the subject informed the actress that “Skeletor’s Sister” had a pie with her name waiting to be devoured (har har). Clearly, the Twitterverse is deeply concerned about Miss Jolie’s health (When I am told there is a pie with my name waiting for me, I run as fast as my very healthy legs can take me, and eat that shiz UP! And the funny thing is… I’M STILL SKINNY AFTERWARDS- 118lbs, 5’5″ .).
It is perhaps a sign of old age (I’ll be 30 in a month), but I just didn’t find those tweets to be all that funny. They were not that well constructed nor original. Basically, making fun of skinny people is as bad as making fun of fat people. While I am a big fan of crude humor (holy crap, I finally watched Blazing Saddles the other day – LOVED IT), demoralizing a person for their weight is just so last millennium. Does America have a damaging problem with weight and self-image? Yes. Does it need to be addressed? Oh YES. Do we need to tell a skinny woman to “eat a sandwich”? No, I already had one. And it had Tillamook cheddar cheese and salami. It was delish, but I am quite full, thankyouverymuchasshole.
So I say: LET’S PROMOTE POSITIVITY, not negativity disguised as “comedy”, or worse, as “advice”. Positivity will entice a person to improve their health and live a fuller life. It did inspire ME to eat better, exercise and smile a lot more (Dave Chappelle and Louis CK are two of my favorite comedians of all time).
Can you imagine poor Angelina with her 20 kids (okay, whatever, 5) who are ALWAYS asking for either: A) PB&J; B) grilled cheese; or C) PB&J 24/freaking/7 and then having to endure a bunch of assholes over on Twitter telling her to eat MORE sammiches? That’s a LOT of carbs, man!
Thank you! The internet is a mean and judgmental place. It makes me not want to hang out there at all. I saw that there was a new twitter account (Angelina Jolie’s leg) that had 5000 followers in its first hour. Lame.
I like the way you think.
well done
Amen! A couple of years ago I caught myself making stupid comments about skinny people (actresses in this case) and it dawned on my that it is funny, it is disrespectful and damaging. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and they should be celebrated, not criticized. I think Angie looked gorgeous (I really liked her dress) and if she’s happy and healthy at that weight, so be it then. Oh and I love the new logo! So bright and happy.
Thanks for this. I don’t know why people feel like it’s ok to be mean about anyone’s weight. It’s NOT.
I sincerely hope that people get over their “brave” internet attacks on strangers. Just because one doesn’t have to witness the other person’s reaction to said mean comment doesn’t make it any less mean or hurtful (or any more acceptable). Again, Thanks for posting, Amy!! 🙂
Right on! And while yes, there is undoubtedly A LOT to say about the unhealthy obsession with the movie industry’s standards of beauty, it’s just so mean to attack an individual and make snarky comments about their physical appearance (often to make ourselves feel better) regardless of how famous they are. Thanks for sharing these thoughts in a smart and light way. All the extended commentary about Angelina (and her leg) felt wrong but I couldn’t muster up an articulate response, so BIG thanks for doing just that!
Haha, you are so funny! We put waaaay too much emphasis on women’s figures today anyway- whether thin or not-so-thin. Let us be! 🙂