Reality Check

I have a few minutes between tasks and I have to give my opinion on an issue that's come up in the past few weeks. Normally I write "reality check" posts about the reality TV I watch. Cause we all know what a reality TV geek I am!

The issue I'm writing about right now, though, is Jessica Simpson's weight. There were pictures all over the web showing her in blue jeans and a black tank top, with two layered belts on, screaming about her weight gain. First of all, it's an unfortunate outfit. But hey, she can wear what she wants if she feels comfortable. Regardless of what I think of her singing or acting , she is a GORGEOUS woman! She's beautiful. As far as her "weight gain", I think she looks great. She looks healthy and lush and I'm sure a lot of people drooled over those photos.

What really bothers me is that 1) this is what the media focuses on? Let's see, economic bailouts right and left to companies using the money for questionable things, new history-making president just sworn in, Superbowl, wars all over the place and this is what the media is focusing on? Oh NOES Jessica gained weight! It doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things! The second thing that bothers me is that women and girls are hearing and seeing that Jessica Simpson is fat! So every female who looks like her or is bigger is being told "you're fat." Which translates into "you're not attractive, you're not acceptible, you need to change yourself" and that's just wrong on so many levels. Why are beautiful people torn down like that? The third thing, and this really ties into #2, that is annoying about this is that the myth that super skinny is attractive is being perpetuated. So there are boys out there learning "Jessica Simpson is not attractive" and girl learning "If I look like that, I'm not attractive." And that's heart breaking. Because of the criticism of those pictures, another eating disorder was born. Finally, what is annoying about the whole thing is that if she was losing weight, they'd say she was anorexic! So basically, people can't win. There apparently is no happy medium, you're either too fat or too skinny.

What does it matter? Her worth is NOT in her looks or her weight. Her worth is in her heart and her character. That's what people need to hear about and see.