In Defense of Shape
A few weeks ago, the internet ran amok with the veracity of
moral outrage that only anonymous strangers protected by computer screens can
muster. Their target this time? Shape Magazine, who had refused to publish a
photo of blogger Brooke Birmingham. Over
several years Birmingham had lost an extraordinary 172 pounds, a journey she
shared with her readers on her blog “Brooke:Not on a Diet”. Shape and Birmingham had
reached an impasse after the magazine refused to publish her story with the
photograph she had provided of herself in a bikini. They had asked her to submit a new photo of
her wearing a t-shirt and cited editorial policy as the reason.
On May 8th the blogger and Shape editor Bahar
Takhtehchian appeared together on The Today Show to announce that the
magazine would move forward with her story and bikini photo, as well as adding
4 similar stories to create a feature that would highlight what happens after
someone reaches their goal. “We want to start a larger discussion about what
happens after you lose a significant amount of weight,” Takhtehchian said. “Because truly, there is a journey after the weight-loss journey
and those are the questions and the issues that we want to talk to Brooke and
the other ladies about.”
I applaud Shape for finally providing an insight into the
continuous struggles of weight loss; however, I stood behind them even in their
initial decision to not move forward with their relationship with
Birmingham.
This photo created a storm of indignation usually reserved
for a Westboro Baptist picketing. People
were so up in arms over their refusal to show a woman in a bikini with extra
skin, a “real woman” as the magazine calls them that they forgot about the most
important part: her success.
The entire reason Birmingham wanted to share her story was
to inspire other women to do the same with their lives. Her stomach overshadowed the hard work she
had gone through to achieve her body. No
one was discussing her blog. No one was
discussing her recipes, exercises, or even her success story. They were too busy being offended that a
magazine would dare to call a spade a spade.
I am in no way calling her photo offensive or
disgusting. It is real. It is what happens when someone loses 172
lbs. This isn’t Hollywood, she isn’t Monica Gellar who can lose 100 lbs in a
single year and walk away with a six pack and firm arms. Anyone who believes in that fairytale has
either never struggled with weight or is unattached with reality. I am utterly impressed with her success and
applaud her for being so self-assured and confident in her body, even if it isn’t
what the media has deemed ideal.
The bigger story here should have always been on what advice
she could give to others to get them off the couch and going. The magazine should have focused on her
incredible self-esteem, and not on her stomach.
The world shouldn’t have gathered the pitchforks and torches because a
photo in a health and wellness magazine was rejected. The attention should have never wavered from
the amazing journey she has had, and will continue to have.
Not publishing the photo created a tidal wave, but imagine
what publishing it would have done. The internet
would have been flooded with people trolling, insulting her on a level usually
reserved for a celebrity fresh from rehab.
The focus would have NEVER been on the heart of her story.
I am excited to see the new feature, showcasing “5 real
women” and their weight-loss experiences.
I only hope the world can keep their attention on the amazing
accomplishments and not on any extra skin.
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