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This critical essay examines the impact of media and societal stereotypes on women, focusing on how these constructs create harmful environments, particularly for Black women. The author discusses Caster Semenya's public scrutiny due to her biological characteristics not fitting traditional female norms in sports, illustrating how the media sensationalizes differences. The text also references the historical introduction of "Norma and Normman" statues, designed to establish "normal" American body types, which inadvertently excluded and stigmatized diverse populations. Ultimately, the essay argues that these examples highlight the destructive consequences of rigid beauty and gender standards, perpetuated by media and societal expectations, on individuals who do not conform.
This critical essay examines the impact of media and societal stereotypes on women, focusing on how these constructs create harmful environments, particularly for Black women. The author discusses Caster Semenya's public scrutiny due to her biological characteristics not fitting traditional female norms in sports, illustrating how the media sensationalizes differences. The text also references the historical introduction of "Norma and Normman" statues, designed to establish "normal" American body types, which inadvertently excluded and stigmatized diverse populations. Ultimately, the essay argues that these examples highlight the destructive consequences of rigid beauty and gender standards, perpetuated by media and societal expectations, on individuals who do not conform.