In my newsfeed I got a link to a recent video of Sir Mix-a-lot performing his iconic song “Baby’s Got Back” with the Seattle Symphony.

It made me happy and sad to watch this video.

1) Happy because it’s a fun song, and he invites audience members on the stage who dance wholeheartedly despite having no chance of ever being on the cover of Cosmo – who clearly feel sexy and appreciated while they dance and feel good about their body shape. When you watch, there are women’s of all shapes and sizes shaking their thing and you can tell feeling pretty good about it.

2) Sad because it’s so rare for women of all shapes and sizes to feel good about themselves in this context – and not made to feel less than because their size is in the double digits or they are 2 sizes smaller on top. Why does this have to be rare?

Overall I’m going to choose to feel good about it because it’s proof that this is possible, that size and shape are just a preference not an objective ideal, and that we can all choose to feel this way whenever we want, just like these women do on this stage.

Let me know how it made you feel over comments below.

 

14 Responses

  1. I love it. Women do come in all shapes and sizes. So do men. The star is twice the size of any woman on that stage but that is not so remarkable. Its ok for him to parade about, dancing his fat behind around the stage and be the center of attention, but strange for the women to do the same, because they are not thin. Fun and feeling good is not weight dependent and aside from the obsession with how one ‘should’ look, it is ridiculous to think it is. Not everything is about looking desirable and acceptable to other people. I agree, it is sad that this sight seems so unusual. It is unusual for tv, it is not unusual for real life. Real women do have fun and feel good about themselves even when they don’t look perfect. This obsession with fitting everyone into a tight little barbie doll package of safe perfection is so small minded, so uninspired, so controlling of women. It makes little sense to me and I work with this very issue everyday with clients and myself. I think it was Naomi Wolf who said – “A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience.” That says it all. I have never been very obedient.

  2. Great quote! And you are so right with your other comments too…and I do think women in groups on the dance floor are the best example of feeling great, but put one up there with a bunch of thin girls and it’s another story…we are getting closer!

  3. The video made me smile, but I had a totally different perspective. I felt sad the women on the stage weren’t more EXPRESSIVE, lady in black dress with glasses not included. Most everyone seemed tightly wound in an opportunity that invited expression. It caused me to wonder how they lived their lives. Always holding back?? By far, the majority of women on stage were an average size, so I don’t understand the “all shapes and sizes” comment. It made me think about how skewed our own view of what is normal has become. The ladies on stage were also a younger demographic – a time when we’re still not sure of ourselves and how we fit into the world. I applaud them for having the courage to walk up there, regardless of their size, shape, or level of self-expression. I’m sure they all left the house feeling pretty that day, and never even thought about being on the cover of Cosmo or any other silly magazine. I applaud them for having the courage to step outside their comfort zone.

  4. Yes on the age demographic…might be a function of the song, not sure my older aunts would feel inspired to jump on stage to dance to that. I DID see all shapes and sizes. I hope they left feeling pretty, I would imagine several of them thought “if only this didn’t bulge” or “if this were flatter”…And perhaps for some, they were expressing themselves as was right for them, although it was amusing to watch, the black dress lady is not MY form of expression,lol. Just getting on stage is impressive!

  5. I appreciate Aimee bringing this topic into the light via this entertaining video. As mother and grandmother to females, I know what a serious issue this is, and we must all do our part to tear down the walls of prejudice and stereotyping. Thank you, Aimee, for giving a voice to every size and shape of beautiful women everywhere.

  6. And thank you Annette for uplifting those around you, that’s where it all starts!

  7. I have always loved this song! When I saw that the Seattle Symphony was doing a production of it with Sir Mixalot, I was ecstatic! I think this song has done more to celebrate REAL women than anything including feminism! Love this so much! Thank you Sirmixalot! “So, Cosmo says you’re fat…well I ain’t down with that!” <3

  8. Btw, , my 16 year old knows the words to this song, and I couldn’t believe it! It made me smile!!

  9. Hello my name is Loyann. I think it’s great that no matter what the girls shape or sizes are some have such great confidence! ! I think that’s wonderful! My self esteem is so low because of all of the negative abuse in past relationships. The sad thing is that I love to dance! Im 4’11 about 115lbs.41 year old single mom. I’m just trying to meet a nice guy who will love me for me. Not what they want me to be.

  10. One day bodies of all shapes and sizes will be appreciated and nobody, not the ultra-skinny or the morbidly obese will be judged for what their body looks like. Of course it always feel better to be healthy, but it doesn’t mean we need to JUDGE you by your body. I love it too because it’s actually a good song while conveying a great message.

  11. Dance more Loyann! Dance around the house, go out with your girlfriends and just shake it without caring what anything else thinks. I bet THAT would help your self-esteem and be fun at the same time!