Spring Break
And the award goes to ... Sarah Jessica Parker
Paul Bremer
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Opinion
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It's always been about hair, make-up and body image and how society puts pressure on women to meet certain standards of sex appeal. Guys, I'm told, have it easy. Even with Charles Manson scruff, tapered Levis, and enough gas to ignite a California wildfire, we sail through life free of judgment and unscathed by a ruthless society Hell-bent on molding women to physical perfection. We're as primitive as the 21st Century will allow, able to blend in with the natives.
In this "90210" plastic surgery era in which we live, this bigoted idea of "sexiness" has hit an all time low. Back in October, "Maxim" magazine named actress Sarah Jessica Parker the "unsexiest woman alive." The magazine went so far as to liken Parker's face to that of a racehorse. The "Sex and the City" actress recently told "Grazia" magazine the poll hurt her feelings, and she was "filled with rage and anger."
Up until this point, I've recognized this trend, or problem rather, but have admittedly brushed it off my shoulder. After all, every demographic in this world faces some degree of prejudice and falls prey to the stereotypes we so desperately try to break free from. But what does it say about our country, our people and our so called respect for individuality and diversity when a national magazine would stoop so low as to attack a woman on her appearance alone?
Others on the list included Sandra Oh, Madonna and Amy Winehouse. Isn't it funny how all four of these women are extremely successful in the work they do? They have earned respect from their colleagues and fans and inspire many other women to follow their dreams. They've shown that women can be equal to men professionally. Hmmm … independent, dedicated and hard-working women: that sounds sexy to me.
It's disappointing and unnerving to be slapped in the face and woken up to the fact that this is how our society still is. Beauty is, of course, incredibly subjective and we all have our own personal ideas of what is attractive. However, "Maxim's" poll brings me back to a dark and immature place: high school. It's the place where jokes and insults are made at others' expense in order to gain attention and popularity. I mean, honestly, what exactly was the point of conducting such a poll? All I can see is a team of misogynists taking a cheap shot at a woman who is miles ahead of them in terms of class and sophistication. It's nothing but a mean-spirited and pathetic attempt to bring someone down.
People can say sticks and stones until they're blue in the face, but the truth is words do hurt and the nasty things are sometimes easier to believe than the positive. Whatever happened to beauty is only skin deep? I guess plastic surgeons are currently figuring that out.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Abbey
posted 4/02/08 @ 9:50 AM CST
Beauty should not be determined by the shape of one's face, bra size or how much one weighs. I thought that humans were more complex than this, but the poll proved all of us wrong!
SJP has more poof in her little finger than the morons who produced this poll!
Ryan
posted 4/02/08 @ 6:53 PM CST
It's easy to judge. Why don't the Maxim writers and editors post their pictures on Maxim.com and let all the women in this country write comments about their physical appearance?
That would require more coruage than making fun of some woman. (Continued…)
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