A Question, my flist ...

[tripperfunster]

Do you think I'm mean?

I was once called out, for drawing a picture of Umbridge pole dancing, and Harry being horrified and traumatized. The commenter made a comment along the lines of, "urg, another person making fun of fat people, I'm sick of 'fat-ism', and people thinking it's okay to make fun of fat people .. etc etc.

Now, I get that. Lots of people make fun of fat people, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh at Bart Simpson, when his goal was to be so fat that he "washed himself with a rag on a stick",but really, I didn't draw her with the focus on her being fat. I drew her as chubby, and roly poly,(as per canon) but not like, gargantuan. To me, the point of the joke was that poor Harry went to see a stripper, and it was UMBRIDGE! Dear God! How traumatizing would that be? I mean, it wouldn't have been funny if it had been a nice, attractive person.

The reason I ask, is that I am drawing a picture of Mr. Dursley for hump_day tomorrow, and hubby walked by and looked, and said, "Aw, that's mean!"

Is it? Is it mean to draw Vernon naked? Or would it be meaner to NEVER draw him, because he's fat?

I draw all the HP characters, pretty much. ESPECIALLY the ugly/old/fat/skinny/bearded/wrinkly ones. They're way more fun to draw! And honestly, that's pretty much why I rarely draw Draco, or Sirius or James etc, because ... they're nice looking and ... normal.

Anyhoo ... do you think my art is mean?

I don't think it is. And while I tend to speak before i think, I don't make a habit of picking on people.

BTW, not sure if it matters, but I am not really fat OR skinny. I'm kinda in the middle. (although, according to the charts at Weight Watchers, I'm morbidly obese. *eyeroll*)

Comments

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think you're mean. I think you like to lampoon everyone, and that's a hallmark of your talent and style. And it's something I enjoy and look forward too.

But I can't speak for anyone other than me, and you can't really control how others interpret your artwork. However, you don't have to accept the labels others attempt to affix to you. Likewise, you don't have to give two shits about what I'm saying either.

If what you draw strikes someone as mean or triggering or traumatizing, it clearly is for them. However, I reject the idea that if you do something that traumatizes, triggers, or offends someone that and inherent part of your character is that you are an offensive, mean, triggering ass.

Do you feel comfortable lampooning a fat character? Do you feel you are treating a fat character differently than you treat an old, male, female, young, human, non-human, muggle, magical character? Do YOU think you are mean?

If you don't, don't worry about it. If you do, reflect on whether this is acceptable to you or not.

BTW, I apologize for what I perceive to be a particularly belligerent tone. I've got a bit of a buzz on.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Hee! Actually, your spelling is very good for a drunk! ;)

You ask some great questions. I think I'm an equal opportunity lampooner, and I certainly don't feel mean when I'm mocking characters.

But really, do assholes ever THINK that they're assholes?

[antisocial-nerd.livejournal.com]

Trigger was mentioned a lot in that comment, maybe you should spoof yourself one day with someone with a lot of interesting attributes and sign it 'Trigger' heeee. Hope that's not rude, I think it's a little funny.

But anyways, I agree with this post also. I personally don't think you're mean though. I think internet dramaz have to take a chill time because that's all I'm hearing about lately.