I have always found beauty in heavier-set people, both male and female, dating as far back as I can remember. But I can honestly say I’ve never found beauty in the way television shows and movies frequently portray them, solely because it often increases the stereotypes and judgments made on those who struggle with obesity.
“Lazy”, “fat”, “stupid”, “slob”, “undisciplined”, and “slow” are just some of the negative stereotypes and judgments made on heavier-set people. While there are those in the world who may have gotten heavy due to deeper-seated mental and emotional issues, there are some like my partner who just come from DNA that’s predisposed to it. While I might be able to eat a whole gallon of ice cream and not gain a single pound, if he was do the same, he might gain five pounds. Thankfully, my partner does a great job of managing his food portions and since I’ve been with him, he’s slowly lost close to 60 pounds. Nonetheless, in doctor’s standards, he’s still considered obese.
I feel for him and all the previous people I’ve dated who are classified as this because I’ve seen first hand how too many often stare and make negative comments about their weight. I don’t usually go to any type of buffets with my current partner for this very reason, in addition to the fact that they also make us want to eat more than we need to. But what frustrates me beyond those day-to-day stereotypes and judgments made on heavier-set people is when I see plus-sized actors and actresses being placed in roles that only emphasis this even more.
Lately, I had to endure seeing a preview of the movie Tammy starring Melissa McCarthy countless times since I regularly watch quite a few movies and television programs. In it, she walks into a fast food joint to hold it up and while there attempts several times to jump over the front counter, but is unable to do so because of her weight. It’s meant to be a fun parody of the fact she’s too heavy, but what’s sad about it is this. Not only is McCarthy’s acting so much better than this, it sheds a negative light on people like her and my partner who may not be fit enough to do an athletic feat such as this.
The same type of thing happened in a previous movie McCarthy starred in as well titled Identity Thief. During one of its particular scenes, she attempts to run away from Jason Bateman on the side of a highway and the camera shows her slowly shuffling down the road. The director tries to show the ridiculousness of this by how easily Bateman catches up to her. Once again, it’s only meant to be a fun parody of how heavy she is, but it truly just adds to those negative stereotypes and judgments made on heavier-set people.
Throughout many of the other movies and television shows I’ve seen over time, there have been way too many great hefty actors and actresses doing things such as splitting their clothes, falling down, being picked on, belly’s popping out under the shirts, breaking furniture, and more all because of their weight. With such a rapidly growing obesity problem in the world on top of those negative stereotypes and judgments, I’m not finding these types of movies fun to watch anymore. Instead, I’m finding them sad and feel sorry for the many actors and actresses who are often pigeonholed into these types of roles because it’s all they’re given.
I’m very grateful though when I do see someone in the entertainment industry move away from these type of roles and go into ones that are able to truly demonstrate their acting talent. John Goodman and Queen Latifah are a few examples of some of those who have been able to do this. But there are many others who haven’t been given as much of a chance like Melissa McCarthy.
The fact of the matter is the world is already filled with enough negative stereotypes and judgments on heavier-set people that showcasing it negatively on the big and small screens is only making it worse. Hopefully all plus-sized actors and actresses will eventually stop taking on roles that only makes fun of their weight and instead do films that demonstrate their real acting talent. Until then, I choose to only watch the more uplifting fare that showcases the real beauty of heavier-set people like my partner.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson