Keeping Up Appearances merely that: Keeping Up Appearances
Sunday’s She Says lead story about the discrimination woman face based on appearances was important. But I think it only states the problem and doesn’t do anything to change a situation which I think most people would agree does need updating. I don’t think many would deny the impetus for this story is Robin Huebner’s recent resignation and the ongoing story. That’s the background.
Ultimately, the story merely said that other women have faced the same discrimination Huebner faces, and that it’s been going on for a long time. Has this trend lessened? Certainly 40% of the TV news force, as reported, will imply that yes, things are better for women. The article doesn’t state that numbers are increasing, just that 40% is the current percentage.
Stacie Schaible, as a size 10, described herself as a “big ommpaloompa”. If size 10 is average (and personally I think that’s low), that means half the women who are reading this story are bigger than a size 10. And she’s effectively called us “big oompaloompas” as well. She’s done the exact same thing she experienced by not being size 2.
So where do we go from here? Accept Huebner’s resignation and watch the stories as they cover her lawsuit? I noticed that Schaible is the only woman interviewed that still anchors TV news. That doesn’t bode well for Huebner, or any woman who wishes to be a part of the news industry. Perhaps “apart of the news industry” would be more apt.
We can however, make a difference, if we as the viewers refuse to allow appearance to dictate our lives. If we accept the state of affairs as they stand, we merely perpetuate the myth of beauty, and women will remain second-class.
By creating a women’s section of the newspaper, the Forum has tried to empower women. Some disagree, and that’s being debated elsewhere. For me, this story goes only so far, and not far enough. Stand not with just stating history, rather take steps into the future to empower all people to be their best.
It's not just weight, either. A woman must not deviate from the average in height either. Men find tall women intimidating, if they happen to be intelligent too, then their height becomes a reason to question their sexuality. Where is the logic other than it tries to keep women insecure!
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