Quote:
And around the web from the blogosphere to mainstream publications people are discussing ... her weight!
There's no quicker way to diminish the achievements of a powerful woman than to talk about her body. But don't worry, it's okay because prejudice against the overweight is the socially acceptable prejudice. It's socially acceptable because it masquerades as a health issue although it is really a class, race and gender issue.
Let's be completely clear on one point first. Those piously declaiming on Dr. Benjamin's potential influence as a health role model are ignoring the scientific evidence. Decades of scientific evidence have already demonstrated that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, overweight people live longer than people of "ideal" body weight. (Ambrya's note: citation here)
The hysteria about weight sweeping contemporary America is just that, hysteria. Of course morbid obesity is a serious health problem with potentially deadly consequences. However, simply being overweight is not only safe, but actually appears to be protective compared to "ideal" weight. That's what the data really show.
<snip>
Much of this is perceived only on the unconscious level. Nonetheless, it leaves people feeling free to criticize those who are overweight, supposedly on "health" grounds, but in reality as a proxy for social class.
Let's be brutally honest here: Regina Benjamin looks like the stereotypical fat, black welfare queen and therefore, a socially acceptable target for our class, race and gender prejudices.
The hypocrisy about health concerns is glaring. Did anyone dare to discuss C. Everett Koop’s weight when he was appointed Surgeon General? Has anyone declared President Obama unworthy of being a role model because he smokes? Of course not, but it socially acceptable to muse about the "suitability" of Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General because she is an overweight black woman.
I am so angry I could spit. An extraordinarily brilliant, compassionate, gifted individual has been nominated to take control of an important health organization in disarray and the mainstream media is talking about her body. Salon Magazine ran an article about it yesterday, and MSNBC has Arthur Caplan discussing the "bioethical" implications of Dr. Benjamin’s weight today. Have people lost their minds?
No, of course not. They're just enjoying the socially acceptable occupation of criticizing black women's bodies; there are so few politically correct forms of prejudice left that no one can refrain from indulging.
There's no quicker way to diminish the achievements of a powerful woman than to talk about her body. But don't worry, it's okay because prejudice against the overweight is the socially acceptable prejudice. It's socially acceptable because it masquerades as a health issue although it is really a class, race and gender issue.
Let's be completely clear on one point first. Those piously declaiming on Dr. Benjamin's potential influence as a health role model are ignoring the scientific evidence. Decades of scientific evidence have already demonstrated that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, overweight people live longer than people of "ideal" body weight. (Ambrya's note: citation here)
The hysteria about weight sweeping contemporary America is just that, hysteria. Of course morbid obesity is a serious health problem with potentially deadly consequences. However, simply being overweight is not only safe, but actually appears to be protective compared to "ideal" weight. That's what the data really show.
<snip>
Much of this is perceived only on the unconscious level. Nonetheless, it leaves people feeling free to criticize those who are overweight, supposedly on "health" grounds, but in reality as a proxy for social class.
Let's be brutally honest here: Regina Benjamin looks like the stereotypical fat, black welfare queen and therefore, a socially acceptable target for our class, race and gender prejudices.
The hypocrisy about health concerns is glaring. Did anyone dare to discuss C. Everett Koop’s weight when he was appointed Surgeon General? Has anyone declared President Obama unworthy of being a role model because he smokes? Of course not, but it socially acceptable to muse about the "suitability" of Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General because she is an overweight black woman.
I am so angry I could spit. An extraordinarily brilliant, compassionate, gifted individual has been nominated to take control of an important health organization in disarray and the mainstream media is talking about her body. Salon Magazine ran an article about it yesterday, and MSNBC has Arthur Caplan discussing the "bioethical" implications of Dr. Benjamin’s weight today. Have people lost their minds?
No, of course not. They're just enjoying the socially acceptable occupation of criticizing black women's bodies; there are so few politically correct forms of prejudice left that no one can refrain from indulging.
Woulda thought Virus would have jumped all over this by now.
I may disagree with Dr. Amy's views on midwifery, homebirth, and alternative medicine, but she nailed it on this one.
Edited, Jul 16th 2009 1:37pm by Ambrya
