This page was created to start discussion and inspire action to change mainstream bigotry against plus size people on television. Though the plus size community has made great strides in its members are portrayed in the media, it's still more than commonplace to see overweight individuals mocked and embarrassed because of their size. This season's "So You Think You Can Dance" has been an active partcipant in these activities.
On a recent episode resident judge Shane Sparks instructed an overweight woman who tried out to,
"
Never come on to an audition looking the way you do again, unless we're looking for your type."
She responded, "
What's my type?"
to which he said, "
Overweight people who can't dance."
He then went on to say, "
Have you ever watched this show before? Have you ever seen anyone who looks like you on the show? Do your research next time."
It's a shame some people are always looking for someone to put down to build themselves up. Now that it's become somewhat unacceptable to deride people based on their ethnicity, the aforementioned have now turned to discriminating based on body shape.
As many straight sized dancers arrive unprepared and perform horrible routines, there has yet to be one treated to the barrage of insults that overweight people receive. Another case in point:
A big man came on who did a routine that would be physically demanding for anyone - full of jumps, air spins, and effortless splits. At the end of his routine, the audience clapped loudly and Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, yelled for them to stop. His reason?
"
They're only clapping for you because your fat and that's patronizing."
His parting remark to the dancer: "
stay healthy."
It seems people are able to belittle plus size people based solely on their size under the thinly veiled guise of being 'concerned for their health.'
Here's another Nigel quote:
"
I think people have gotten it into their heads now that you have to have some kind of training or be brilliant before you come to us, although the delusional still come to us. I'm amazed at the amount of fat people who come. When the music stops, you expect them to stop. You don't expect the body bobbles to go on for 30 seconds."
If we intend to break down barriers in film, television, dance, and modeling, then we as consumers must first make our voices heard. We are the majority. 71.9% of American women are over a size 10. With the potential impact of our demographic, one would wonder why we have continued to allow networks to schedule shows that insist on deriding who we are. Let's use our numbers to tell the media we are tired of being told we are unworthy, lazy, stupid, and unattractive.
The issue of freedom of speech is bound to come up in this discussion, but I believe just as Nigel and Shane have the right to voice their opinion, we as viewers have the right to tell the network, producers, judges, and sponsors we are not pleased with that aspect of the show's content.
We are the ones buying from the advertisers who support the show; why should we not have input?It's a dance show! Tell "So You Think You Can Dance" to judge people based on talent and potential rather than body shape!Goal:To get the judges and/or producers of "So You Think You Can Dance" to issue a formal public apology for their remarks.
SHANE SPARKS' MYSPACE PAGE: www.myspace.com/shanesparks
Leave him a comment saying we will not watch SYTYCD or patronize its advertisers if his bias against plus size people on SYTYCD does not stop!
FOX NETWORK'S E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
FOX NETWORK'S MAILING ADDRESS:
So You Think You Can Dance
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213-0900
Tell them we are not satisfied with this aspect of their programming!
Below is a list of SYTYCD's advertisersAs a member of this boycott, please avoid patronizing these businesses.
Also, feel free to write them to express your discontent.
The SYTYCD Boycott Press Release [Thank You Karen!]
:http://www.geocities.com/sytycdboycott1/pdfpressrelease.pdf
Full Boycott Statement:http://www.geocities.com/sytycdboycott1/fullboycottstatement
pdf.pdf
Boycott Brochure [Thank You Terri!]
:
http://www.geocities.com/sytycdboycott1/sytycdbrochurepdf.pd
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