Uglies’ Revenge
Introduction to this topic isn’t gentle. Repellents, dim surveillance, and exaggerated representations have been given undue prominence, leading to consequences for America.
There’s this image of Herman Man Star Jaws—a very large, metal-wearing man—strolling down the aisles. It really highlights how our perceptions of masculinity and femininity have transformed over the last century.
And no, I’m not trying to sound cartoonish when I say that.
Fat City
Last week, I spotted an SUV parking in an empty space at Staples. A bumper sticker on the back read, “I’m just doing b***h things,” decked out in girly handwriting with pink swirls and butterflies. Other stickers displayed support for Planned Parenthood and similar causes.
The driver got out, and my heart sank. She stood about 5’5” and seemed to weigh nearly 300 pounds. At that weight, age was impossible to discern; she could easily have been anywhere from 28 to 45. As she climbed out, the truck swayed noticeably with her movement, and she was wearing a baseball cap along with a tight shirt and shorts that, honestly, could be described as the color of a “Poisonous Tree Frog.” She made her way across the parking lot, leaving a solid impression.
Notice Is Not Troublesome
Now, hold on—let me calm those reading this. It seems grotesque has hit such a peak of normalcy that pointing it out may signal that the observer is cruel or enjoys watching suffering.
No, that’s not the case. I wasn’t attempting to be harsh; I was just being accurate about what we often see in public these days.
America has an abundance of morbidly obese individuals—men, women, and children alike. The young woman in that parking lot wore an outfit that once would have raised eyebrows. It’s strange how young men often overlook hygiene while indulging in over-the-top cartoony habits, and clothing styles have gradually shifted from respectable to what some would associate with toddlers. Do you remember Underoos?
However, there’s a concerning trend of declining physical and mental health. This isn’t solely capitalism or some conspiracy; it’s largely self-inflicted. Even with issues in our food supply and a heavy reliance on medications, each individual serves as the gatekeeper of their own choices.
Wonderful and Brave
Yet, many don’t aspire for change. The very overweight, like a man resembling Herman Munster gnawing at his heels in the food aisle, don’t seem inclined to improve their situation.
What’s worse is their demand for societal acknowledgment of their beauty.
Since the 1960s, we’ve seen a substantial shift in our cultural values. What once might have been deemed rebellious, like a long-haired boy or a bra-burning girl, has morphed into something more troubling. The previously labeled “counterculture” now holds sway over normative societal standards.
The Opposite Day
Left-leaning culture has turned conventional views upside-down, promoting morbid obesity as something admirable and healthy. For example, Cosmopolitan magazine showcases overweight women in yoga poses, pushing the message that “this is healthy!”
This distortion can spill over into areas like gender identity, becoming part of what people call “gender-affirming care.” We seem to celebrate instead of challenge a state of affairs where, for instance, a confused 14-year-old girl displays her mastectomy with glee.
I sometimes find my own faith lacking, but it’s almost impossible to ignore the societal diseases we’re cultivating. It’s reminiscent of ancient scriptures that warn against calling good evil and vice versa.
Slop Culture
If things are rotting from the head down, it’s hard to pinpoint who’s at the top—in our case, the media.
Sure, I could say it’s all Hollywood’s fault, but increasingly, our celebrities reach us through countless social media channels rather than film. The cultural institutions succumbed to a madness that has since engulfed us all.
Now we have individuals like Lizzo, who flaunt their plus-size bodies, clad in sheer attire. Certainly, she’s a skilled musician, but perhaps her path is dictated by current trends of body positivity instead of genuine health.
D List Fantasy
Additionally, if it’s not about pretending that people loving their own grotesqueness are beautiful, it’s about elevating mediocre talent to astonishing heights.
Take Pedro Pascal, who became famous on “Game of Thrones” and is now rampant across social media platforms, even voicing social or political opinions. He’s revered to the point where the focus on his actions might overshadow a lack of depth in talent.
You may recognize his name without having seen him in any of his roles. He’s paraded around as if he were charming and handsome, but, realistically, he doesn’t reflect the true classic leading man quality we once admired.
I Believe I Can Try
There’s a certain thrill in critiquing celebrities, yet this moral decay stretches beyond them. Countless American youths shape their identities around these flawed personalities, and it spills over into their everyday lives.
This isn’t merely an aesthetic concern; it’s a matter of genuine health—both mentally and physically—of a generation.
What’s essential is that those of us who recognize the truth start speaking up again. Many don’t aspire to anything bigger but still expect society to hail them as heroes. This delusion started with participation trophies and has reached far more troubling deviations.
Average Season
We need to distinguish between what’s acceptable and what’s not. Even if it sounds harsh, there was a time when adults weren’t considered mean for holding everyone accountable.
Societal norms have always prioritized beauty, talent, intelligence, and achievements. It doesn’t matter if someone feels offended; emotions don’t alter reality.
In today’s soundtrack, figures like Pedro Pascal float on credit for attributes that often aren’t even their own—you aren’t charming, you’re not talented, and certainly don’t command respect simply for saying certain things. So let’s start acknowledging the truth once again.
