media defines beauty, obviously

It gets on my nerves when people insult a person's appearance because they don't fit into their perception of "beauty". Beauty is an ambiguous, abstract term while the media has enforced in our brains a definite image of female beauty as skinny, big breasts, long hair etc. We are all guilty of judging a person's appearance without realising the superficiality and shallowness embedded in ourselves.

I've become more aware of the media's wicked influence on our views on beauty ever since  I watched Miss Representation. I've definitely become sensitive to the consequences of our distorted perception of beauty in my daily life. I heard a fellow classmate say, "Ew, I don't know why she posted that instagram photo because she's got rolls. That's so not attractive."  I also know a group of boys that have a rating system on whether or not a girl "ticks all the boxes" and I'm sure most boys (and girls) do this but it is just wrong and disgusting. I hate seeing people liking instagram photos of people's flat abs, perky butts and thigh gaps because I think thats unhealthy to see those images constantly. I agree they are beautiful but why are we dismissive of the girls who aren't skinny or fit? I want to see more photos of girls who aren't skinny or fit yet they gleam with confidence and self-love. If you call someone 'fat' its an insult whereas calling someone skinny is a compliment instead of being plain observations and statements. Why don't we ever use 'fat' as a compliment?

Fortunately, the past couple of years has revitalised a small wave of feminism through media as actresses, musicians, artists have been provoking the public to question the ideals of beauty. Lorde and Beyonce definitely know the power of their celebrity status. Beyonce's Pretty Hurts video addresses this issue in a way female audiences can identify with as it shows how women torture themselves in order to look "beautiful". I respect Lorde since she opposes media customs and intends to challenge the universal image of beauty as she endorses that "flaws are ok". She accepts she is not "conventionally pretty" and continues to be confident in her skin as she does her trademark epileptic-gollum dance moves. I've encountered girls around school saying, "I hate Lorde. She is so ugly, like what the hell." and its unsettling because I think, as girls, we need to be supportive of each other and stop criticising how "ugly" or even how "slutty" a girl looks. 

It's not only women that are affected by media's portrayal of beauty as men are victims too. Theres also pressure for men to look fit and muscly to convey power and 'manliness'. Girls are guilty too as most girls judge a guy's attractiveness on whether he has chiseled abs, a defined jawline and a tall figure. Personally, I couldn't care less about a guy's physique since it does not influence my liking towards him but I'm still guilty of occasionally judging boys on their clothing choices. I do try my best to judge whether I like a person or not based on their personality although its difficult when we live in a society obsessed with image.

- freak out