Amber's column last week on Beth Ditto rightly questioned the media's sudden fascination with the Goliath-lunged singer. Although it is hypocritical to vilify one person for their extreme weight and then applaud another for similarly extreme weight, I personally think Beth Ditto makes a great role model.
Society being what it is, no-one looks at her and wishes they could be her size. They instead see someone stylish, talented, and comfortable in their own skin. I love her because it's great to see someone promoted as a role model not just for their looks but for what they can do. If I had a young daughter I'd like her to be inspired to do an activity by her role models, maybe a sport, take up music or become an activist for a cause she believed in. Images of women often show them as an attractive backdrop, not as an active member of society, and talented young women like Ditto show that just relying on your looks can lead to an unfulfilling life. As far as I'm concerned, it is far better to work hard, exploit your talents, and make mistakes like Andrea Dworkin, Julie Burchill, Joan of Arc and -of course- Beth Ditto!