Are Beefs Killing the Culture of Plus Size Entertainment?
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SHAPELY; ORIGINAL PHOTOS BY ANDRES AYRTON
Seeking refuge from the harshness of average-sized society, many of us have joined some form of community. These communities offer us a safe space to live a fulfilling lifestyle, a lifestyle we deserve. We enjoy the fashion shows, boat rides, parties and content. But there’s a silent killer lurking that is threatening what many of us have come to know as the plus size community. That silent killer is beef!
Beef isn’t limited to your dinner plates anymore, nope! It’s at the events, on social media and various forms of content. It’s not blatant, it’s one of those “If you know, you know” kind of things. In this article we discuss how beef is killing the culture, what we can learn from it and how we can move on.
What is the culture of the plus size entertainment industry?
The culture of the plus size entertainment industry, as it is advertised, is said to be a judgement free, size-inclusive safe space to live, try and simply be yourself. Sharing is caring and company is welcomed. There is a heavy focus on inclusivity as many plus sizers feel ostracized by everyday society. However, if one attends enough events then pretty soon you’ll have a kick ass nationwide network of relatable people to share your thoughts and experiences.
Why is the culture of plus size entertainment important?
Plus size entertainment and culture is important because it’s a safe haven for people of size. It’s where one can feel comfortable learning and experiencing things. For many, they are experiencing things for the first time, much later in life than others. For example, some have not worn a pair of shorts, a bikini, or a sleeveless top in public until their late thirties. Imagine that! However, many will tell you that they gained the confidence needed to do so from attending different body positive events. Without this safe haven’s existence to be, to try, to live; there will be a void in the hearts of many.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SHAPELY; ORIGINAL PHOTOS BY BARION MCQUEEN/JAYBERRYTECH
Three real examples of how the plus size entertainment culture and business is impacted negatively.
Internal conflict amongst patrons and or event organizers, is actively threatening this safe space. Here’s how:
1. Internal Conflict.
Internal beefs, whether one would like to admit it or not, negatively impacts the plus size community and culture. Patrons can see it, hear it and it’s a total vibe killer. Pretty soon the mudslinging begins and if the conflict is the result of a failing romantic relationship, it tends to spill over into unprofessional acts of jealously. Suddenly patrons are being ping-ponged between hosts. Bad attitudes become apparent and patrons are whispering about the internal drama, which takes the focus away from the event and puts the spotlight on the messy breakup. In short, it’s an event killer. Many will not attend future events after experiencing front row seats to a failed partnership or romantic meltdown at your event.
2. Conflict between patrons.
Conflict amongst patrons can also have a negative impact as it diminishes the “safe space” concept. While we all love a good show and it maybe entertaining, it can easily get out of hand and sometimes become physical. Certain behavior like “The Mean Girl,” the cliquish “You Can’t Sit with Us," or the “Us vs. Them” mentality is what some experience in everyday life. Patrons shouldn’t be subjected to it in a body positive space. This can also be a gateway to predatory behavior. If people believe an event organizer or brand fosters an “anything goes” atmosphere, pretty soon they’ll show up with the behavior to match. Security is also important and the event organizer’s response to complaints and unsavory behavior is crucial. If ignored, one runs the risk of attracting the wrong audience, which can result in a poor experience.
3. Conflict between organizers.
Lastly, conflict between event organizers has the biggest impact of them all. Not only does it affect the consumer’s experience, it effects the bottom line. Organizers begin intentionally scheduling events without regard to others. This prevents patrons from attending more than one event. Which negatively impacts attendance and the bottom line. It also drives market price down as organizers are not able to price competitively, they’re pricing to undercut one another which limits the ability to put on a great event and profitability. Hosting events is hard work and the people that make it all happen deserve to be fairly compensated and not negatively impacted by drama.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SHAPELY; ORIGINAL PHOTOS BY PROTA
In conclusion, how can we as a community move on from this? Shapely believes strongly in communication. A conversation has been known to both start and end wars. However, a conversation is only fruitful when all parties involved can be receptive and accountable, which is not always the case. If you can have the conversation, then have it. If you can’t, take the high road. Those that do are rewarded by the community because they will show up and support your brand. While the community may watch the drama unfold, they may also be great at identifying the aggressor in the situation. This may result in closed wallets because people often refrain from supporting a brand with a negative influence.
Shapely believes that event organizers can benefit from coming together and establishing a price floor within their circuit. Whether it be fashion shows, boat rides/cruises, parties/bashes or media, fair and competitive pricing can positively impact the overall consumer experience and increase profitability. While many event organizers state that they don’t do the events for the money, the truth remains that expenses do add up and people still want to have a great experience. Thus, profitably does matter and working together to ensure that can make a great difference.
How do you feel about beef and the plus size industry? Do you have any proposed solutions? If you’re a consumer, what would you like to see happen and/or change. Let us know in the comments.
