The “Precious” Effect: Black Women and Weight Problems

October 27th, 2011 - By LaShaun Williams

"gabourey sidibe"

Have you ever noticed how often black women are used to meet the “big girl” quotas in advertisements and television programming? The Dove beauty commercials in which the only black woman is plus-sized immediately comes to mind.

And, while this sort of typecasting is certainly nothing new, it seems like it has received a jolt of energy since Gabourey Sidibe’s Oscar-nominated performance in Precious. A performance that I, honestly, am not sure was so moving because of her acting abilities or the prowess of the casting director, but because her physical appearance was the perfect portrayal of the character.

Like Howard Stern (but in very different words), I didn’t see her getting much, if any, subsequent work. But Sidibe has managed to land roles in Showtime’s The Big C, Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and the Sundance Lab project Yelling to the Sky alongside Zoe Kravitz, where she plays a bully.

She is indeed a working actress and, perhaps, to credit for Amber Riley’s roles on Glee, who received a nod from E! channel’s Fashion Police as one of the best dressed at the 2010 Emmy Awards. You see, the media’s love affair with Gabourey Sidibe opened the door wider for heavier (okay, obese) black girls everywhere as if people wanted to see more, forgetting two things: It is an unfair representation and obesity is very unhealthy.

Black women are constantly fighting the general assumption that most of us are fat, and the last things we need are more big girls on television and in film. It’s not that they do not deserve representation, but black women shouldn’t carry the big-girl torch as our norm. It only validates the belief that (a lot of) extra meat on your bones is okay. And in reality, it’s not. Two hundred pounds doesn’t look good on any woman. There is a reason Sidibe’s ELLE magazine cover was practically a headshot.

Furthermore, it is an early death sentence. Diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, colon cancer, gallbladder disease—you can have them all if you’d like. Women with a BMI index greater than 30 are considered obese, and roughly 51 percent of black women ages 20 and over qualify. Obesity is a real health concern in our community. And while the successes of women like Sidibe should be celebrated, someone should also be pushing her to lose weight—for life’s sake. Two years later, I should be applauding her for shedding pounds, not watching late-night promotional appearances and totally missing her cute personality because I’m thinking, “Wow…she’s really big. That can’t be healthy.”

Black women are not “naturally” bigger than other groups of women, and it is time that this is projected through our entertainment and media figures. But, first, they have to drop the weight. When that happens legions of fans will be empowered to do so, too.

More on Madame Noire!

Tags:

, , , , , , , , , ,
More from StyleBlazer
More from MommyNoire

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

← Older Comments
  • Kay2

    Sorry, im skinny (120 pounds) and extremely healthy and strong for my size.  You are in denial if you believe that being 200 pounds is healthier than being thinner lol.  Over wieght women are at high risk for tons of illiness and diseases. smh

  • brittrodg

    Its amazing that the comments I have come across are to the same degree as these statements ” There’s nothing wrong with big girls, I’m 200+ pounds, I’m cute and there’s nothing wrong with being a big girl.” and ” I have to admit that being big is unhealthy, but being skinny is way more unhealthy than being overweight.” C’mon people, the article wasn’t written as a ploy to get to you make comments to validate for your self esteem or lack thereof, it is focused on the fact that being an overweight women is not a good thing. Lets face the facts, this article is stating the truth, and I agree that actresses like Gabourey advertising this “big is beautiful” propaganda everywhere you turn your head isn’t inspiring ourselves and our families to accept a healthier body image, and most importantly, a healthier lifestyle. It is not saying “love a healthy you, ” it is saying ” love the unhealthy you exactly the way you are. Have high self esteem despite all of the health problems that come with your lifestyle.” NOT GOOD. Sure being thin CAN BE unhealthy, but once you do some proper research on the problems associated with being overweight and  then research the problems associated with being underweight, (that have absolutely nothing to do with eating disorders), then you will have a case. Diabetes, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea to top it off, need I say more… Take some time to focus on the issue(s) at hand, instead of telling your life story. Thanks.

  • Tanny

    Thats very true. Also on the flip side its funny to see women that pride themselves on their slimness react when a man they were scoping choses me over them. I can read the "why he want that fat bish over me" thought bubble above their heads! I've been a plus model and also participated in and won plus beauty pageants. Not be be obnoxious but im not "cute for a big girl", im "men and women stop me on the street to tell me im beautiful" pretty. But beyond that I'm nice, and genuine, and open. So when the big girl gets chose dont fall back on stereotypes like big girls have low self-esteem and let men dog them out to comfort yourself. Thats not fair to the big girls and certainly not fair to yourself.

    Also fat jokes are not only common but hilarious to the majority of people telling them and hearing them. One or two fat chicks started telling skinny jokes and ya'll mad. Can the confident big girls have a moment? Sheesh!! Carry on.

  • Reese

    There is a problem with obesity in this country particularly in are community. But I don't get how this is upsetting to someone if you are not obese they can look at you and tell. Stop letting the media define who you and what you are. Design your own life and values because most images of blacks men and women are negative so why not focus on what you can control and that is your life and what you make of it.

  • not

    KEEP IT REAL!! 220 pounds DOES NOT look good. I'm so sick of hearing overweight and obese black women who ooze self-confidence being referred to as role models. Really? That's one model I would not want my daughter to follow! Obesity kills. It's about loving yourself enough to take charge of YOUR health. I've heard TOO many big girls talk about "how they know they look good" and "my man need something to hold on to". I guess the more you say it, then the more you believe it and if you believe it then you don't have to do anything about the obvious fact that sister…you need to drop a few pounds.

  • Nona

    You lost me at “200 lbs doesn’t look good on any woman” because hunny let me tell you I’m 200lbs and I look damn good. AND furthermore people always suspect that I am 160 or something like tht…so that comment right there is so untrue. Secondly, though you have valid points; as many have mentioned being a ‘Big Girl’ doesn’t mean hide in the shadows and wait for things to happen. Gabourey (sp?) does what most women are afraid to do and that’s live…regardless of her size. Oh and thanks for pointing out the obviousness of her size, Sherlock.

  • IJS

    Black women are not naturally fat, BUT according to the Office of Minority Health, 80% are considered overweight. We must stop anesthesizing ourselves with food and saying it’s ok to be big.

  • TMH

    Black women we need to stop this thick is good mess. There is a reason Afr Americans suffer the most from heart disease and diabetes. Since when is being healthy and taking care of yourself "trying to be white" or wanting to look too Hollywood. And I agree with the author at 200 pounds you dont look your best or feel you best. WAKE UP!

    • not

      THANK YOU!!!!!!

  • http://Cash Cash

    Black women are overweight because of the extreme emphasis placed on hair maintenance in our culture. Sistas don’t swim, run, or do any type of exercise because we don’t want to sweat or wet our hair. Sistas live in the salons but are single and lonely. We come off as boring and not adventurous because we are constrained by some screamingly fake looking weave or lacefront. No beach, pool,golf or hiking and no man either. Stop enriching the Asian beauty machine and get a hairstyle that can be maintained at home so you can swim, hike, jog……etc.

    • guest

      7 days in a week. If you get an hour of cardio 3-4 times a week, you can keep your hair and body in check. Just workout towards the end of the week when you will be getting your hair done anyway. It can be done!

    • Reese

      Not only to I work out 4-6 days a week. I scuba dive, horseback ride, teach rumba and latin dance at the Y.

  • zzdaddy0

    Sound like some real insecurity going on here that may effect us as a people. I dont see other race's claim that one individual (or 2 or 3) on the screen is representative of their race. Doesn't make sense to me to pick on this young ladyt, who is following her craft, because you look in the mirror and dont like what you see. Black woman come in all shapes and size's like all other woman. We as black men just happen to like them better.

← Older Comments