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Just in case you needed more proof that women
are portrayed in a negative light in the media, The Australian recently
published a tribute to neurophysicist and best-selling author Colleen
McCullough, which resulted
in outrage amongst fans.
As shared by
The
Guardian, the eulogy’s first paragraph opened with no mention of her
intellectual achievements, but rather bald-facedly pointed out the fact that
she was fat and not much to look at (and that’s putting it euphemistically).
If they had
beeen paying a little more attention and done some fact checking, they would have known, as the Telegraph reports, that she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (which results in weight gain).
So not only do they dismiss her successes as a woman, because of her weight,
but they mock her medical condition as well?
What makes this worse is that the tribute goes on to add that, although she was fat and frumpy, at least she was “a woman of wit”. As if her intellectual prowess is nothing but a mere afterthought.
This showcases, once again, just why there is a desperate need for change regarding the media’s portrayal of women’s roles in society, because this perpetuates the notion that women should be judged based on their appearance and not by what she’s achieved.
It's grossly sexist and insulting.
Women shouldn't have to be defined by their physical make-up – and if you need
further example of an instance where the portrayal of men are so blatantly
different, allow me to direct
you to this article.
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