 |
Actor and activist Ashley Judd’s feelings are not hurt, at least not in the way you think. That is not what this is about.
She has had it with women’s and girl’s bodies and looks being attacked in the media and everyday conversation.
She wrote a ‘take no prisoners’ essay for The Daily Beast taking on critics who ripped her to shreds about her ‘puffy face.’
YES- her “puffy face.” From one picture, critics speculated she was sick, had cosmetic surgery, that her racecar driving husband Dario Franchetti might start looking elsewhere!
Part of her response:
”Who makes the fantastic leap from being sick, or gaining some weight over the winter, to a conclusion of plastic surgery. Our culture, that’s who. The insanity has to stop, because as focused on me as it appears to have been, it is about all girls and women. In fact, it’s about boys and men, too, who are equally objectified and ridiculed, according to heteronormative definitions of masculinity that deny the full and dynamic range of their personhood.“
I wouldn’t say Ashley and I are BFF’s (just in my imaginary world)…BUT I have had a long conversation with her.
She rarely reads comments about herself and seems to be one of the most well adjusted people I’ve ever met, celebrity or otherwise. That’s why I know this isn’t about her personal feelings being hurt. It’s actually insulting to think that. It’s about what she sees as a mysoginistic culture that too often devalues women.
I know many women and perhaps some men, are inspired by what she wrote. I am!
What do you think?
Read more on HLNTV.com.
Made a quick stop on Showbiz Tonight last night to discuss it with my friend and host A.J. Hammer.
It’s sad that some people who have a voice in the media use it to hurt others instead of using it to make a positive difference. Imagine what could be accomplished if these sensationalist pieces stopped and were replaced by pieces about bringing positive changes in our society?
Well said Shannon. Apprearance is PART of who someone is..but to constantly make that the sole focus of who women and girls are is insulting, damaging and a waste of time. I’m glad Ashley addressed this. . She is an actress, an activist, has done work in the Congo, spoken out for abuse victims, people living with AIDS, yet there are THOUSANDS of words written about her face, whether she has had plastic surgery..even comments that her husband is only with her for her looks and may start looking elsewhere. This type of talk targets women everyday. It’s sexist and young girls pick up on these messages.
As a male, I have to ask, “Who cares how “puffy” her face is?” I for one don’t. What about how she looks more beautiful everyday? Everybody looks different, even identical twins. She is a great person and does great things for other people. If she wasn’t famous, would anyonr care about how she looks? She is one of my favorite celebrities. Ashley is one person I would like to meet and have a chat with, but as an average person I know I never will get that chance. All I have to say is this: Ashley, you are beautiful both outside and inside. Don’t let the jealous get the best of you. You rock!
Hey they went way to far with the comment
I’m inspired by her. I love what she wrote!