Not Pretty Enough

While I was pondering this post assignment I was reminded of a song that I love. The song is by Kasey Chambers and is titled "Not Pretty Enough". I think I have always related to this song because it goes through the list one girl has of all the things that are wrong or flawed in her. We have all been made to feel that we are not pretty enough by the advertising and perfect representations of women in the media. I don't know what the solution is. Advertisers want/need to sell and advertise their products but there needs to be a better way to do this that doesn't perpetuate this idea of unflawed beauty. The Dove campaign is the closest thing that I can think of that is at all progressive to this end. Yes, their campaign is flawed and obviously their main goal is still to sell their product. However I feel like this is a step in the right direction. The "love the skin your in" ad depicts women of different shapes and sizes and tries to sell the idea that all of these are beautiful and for women to embrace and love their bodies. This of course is easier said than done. And it can't be left out that even the biggest of the models is not that big. I think that aknowledging the use of airbrushing and the extensive make-up that goes into making models and actresses look the way they do is an important step for women to realizing this beauty thing is totally bogus. The dove campaign to that end that we watched in class last week at least acknowledges this and puts it out there for everyone to see. I remember really admiring Sarah Jessica Parker for speaking out when the media applauded her quick return to top form and weight loss after giving birth. She was quick to point out that unlike many other women who give birth, she has the means to provide child care and personal training sessions. Similar to this end I was talking with G-na the other day and she related a story about Jessica Alba, who won Hottie of the year at an award ceremony, and in her acceptance speech thanked her airbrushers and make-up, hair etc. team for helping to hide her flaws because without them she would not have been accepting the award. I think that if more high profile celebrities allowed for themselves to be shown without airbrushing and looking less perfect, maybe young women would feel less inadequate.