Big butts and breaking the Internet

For centuries women's bodies have been a subject of criticism - what is beauty? Times have not changed. This week the news has been all a-buzz about Kim Kardashian (an American television and social media icon). Most specifically, there has been much criticism about her butt size due to her latest cover on Paper magazine. Some have even exclaimed that "Kim Kardashian’s butt might just break the Internet".

Big butt ~~ © Patricia Pinsk

As Samantha Grossman references Tina Fey in her article, And now, let’s let Tina Fey have the last word on Kim Kardashian’s Body, Tina states (from her book "Bossypants"):

“Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits,”  Fey wrote. “The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes.”

Fortunately for those women lined up for plastic surgery, or for the latest fad diet, there have been, and continue to be people that challenge society's ideals on women's beauty.

Orlan, the French performance artist who used plastic surgery to challenge beauty standards, made headlines in the 1990's. Janey Godley also speaks about the beauty of Rembrandt's fat women paintings.

My editorial illustration also challenges what is women's beauty. What is the "ideal" physical body? I don't know if our society will ever stop asking these questions. I do know that it's not just the physical attributes that make women beautiful. Personality plays a higher role in people's psyche than many are willing to admit. Besides, youthful, bubbly beauty - like a fine champagne starts to fizzle and sag over time. An attractive personality and intellect fosters longer-lasting, real relationships - and if you have a big butt all the power to you.

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