I recently came across an article written by a beautiful young journalist, Whitney Martin, a news anchor and reporter for WIFR-23 in Rockford, IL. She has been commended for her skills and has left a lasting impression with her efforts in the community. The successful and talented journalist is being notoriously body shamed by WIFR viewers and it disgusts me to the very bone.
In Whitney Martin's article, "Body Shaming Live on Air," she discusses how viewers are complaining about her hair, her clothes and her body. Martin's hairstyle and dress are being reprimanded by viewers who say, "it's distracting," or "a disgrace." These complaints are completely irrelevant to the duty Martin has as a journalist and should never be brought up as an issue to be changed. I am outraged at the negative remarks made to any woman about her appearance and so I commend Whitney Martin, whom I have had the privilege to speak to at my high school, for writing about her encounters with judgment and ridicule.
Martin created a perfect description of what a daily routine of a journalist is like. She must quickly arrive at the next destination to update viewers on the latest story and before she leaves, she must grab something that has been made clear is a necessity for her job, her lipstick. Martin says, "At what point did the color of my lips become more important than the words coming out of my mouth?" Storytelling is the importance of her job, not her appearance. The criticism of others has twisted her priorities and the realization frightened her.
Martin wrote not to attack her criticizing viewers but to inform the public that broadcasting and reporting is not an easy task. It requires masses amount of time and effort outside the newsroom and therefore is incredibly exhausting. Martin says they may look tired once the 10 p.m. newscast airs because, in all honesty, they are.
The constant ridicule for a broadcaster's appearance is becoming the social norm in our society. Martin explains how viewers focus only on the flaws instead of the meaning of the overall story. As a writer, I take value in stories and the impact they have on others. Women should be commended for the work they share with the world; instead, they are picked to pieces about what they are wearing or not wearing.
Journalists have a common interest in storytelling. Finishing a story on deadline or rushing downtown in the middle of the night to break news is what we all aspire for. Whitney Martin is dedicated to her job and will go the distance to break or update viewers on local news. The way women look and dress should not be criticized or open for derogatory comments.
Martin is incredible for standing by her duties as a journalist and not changing for the convenience of viewers. She is real and genuine and therefore memorable. Whitney Martin, you are not defined by your appearance. You are strong, beautiful and talented without the lipstick!
