So I guess I'll start out by saying my personal opinion of Roxy and some things I wish I cold have shared in class. First of all, she made me see bodybuilding as something that builds individualism. Second, I respect her for doing what she believes in. In the interview she says "The people who don't respect me are actually the people who are out of shape." And third I don't find her disturbing at all which actually goes against what many of you said in class today, but I don't think she is physically healthy.
On Friday we discussed in class whether bodybuilding promoted conformity or individualism. I had the mindset at the time that bodybuilding promoted conformity, but after hearing Roxy's interview I changed my mind. I think that a lot of it has to do with whether you are male or female. Males are seen as being muscular in our society, so obviously male bodybuilding is something to be expected. Female bodybuilding on the other hand sometimes strikes people as not normal. Our class agreed that women are supposed to be soft, toned and fragile. Not bulky and muscular. Roxy is the exception though. Through bodybuilding she has gone against the norm of what women should be and she has become something all of her own. She is an amazing individual and stands up for what she believes in.
Roxy knows that people do not accept her, and she still does what she loves. This is what makes her so unique and makes me respect her. I believe that the most hate towards people who are not accepted by society comes from those who don't understand them. I have a personal example that proves this point. When I was younger, I would hear about people who were transgender and immediately judge them and laugh at them with my friends. Then I started working with someone who is transgender and we are great friends now. Before, I judged a group of people who I knew nothing about, but once I learned a little more about that group of people, I was able to accept them more. The same applies to bodybuilders. Like Roxy said, the people who don't accept her are the ones who are out of shape. They don't understand her so they immediately judge her. If they became bodybuilders they would understand and accept her more.
Roxy is a beautiful women. But like they say, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. In her interview she stated that the judges at her competitions judge based on "what is popular at the time." Well, lighter skin is more popular. If there was a girl who was just as muscular as Roxy but a lighter shade of skin, she would seem more attractive. Our society puts up an image of what a beautiful women should look like. What if society said that muscular women were attractive and toned women were disgusting. Then we would all think Roxy was an average women. Beauty can differ and everyone doesn't need to strive to look the same. I do believe that Roxy is taking her bodybuilding a little too far though. I believe that everything is good in moderation, and she definitely does bodybuilding in excess.
I think people should take Roxy as an example human being and strive to hold her ideals and beliefs.
-Brandon Reilly
