*California State Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter has introduced legislation that would require people to get a doctor’s OK before undergoing cosmetic surgery.
The bill is named for Donda West, mother of rap superstar Kanye West, who died last November, one day after receiving a breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction. The proposed law is a good idea because it will install an additional safeguard that could help save lives. Unfortunately, no law on the books can force people to use common sense.
The sad fact is that a doctor told Donda West that radical cosmetic surgery could kill her. Kanye’s mom ignored that admonition and went looking for another surgeon who’d put her under the knife without medical clearance. She found one. And she died. I know that sounds cold, but it’s the truth.
The proposed Donda West Law will put restrictions on cosmetic surgeons operating in California, but it won’t stop anyone from making foolish, risky decisions. Hard-headed folks who are determined to alter their bodies surgically will surely find ways to get around this law; they’ll go out of state to have their procedures done or they’ll hunt high and low until they find a profit-motivated physician who will OK them for surgery despite the dangers.
You see, the problem here is not the cosmetic surgeons themselves. The problem is that far too many women are seeking these surgeries, and doing so for the wrong reasons. Our image-focused, media-driven and fundamentally sexist society has conditioned countless women to hate their bodies and to obsess over being trendy. Cosmetic surgery is seen (and marketed) as a quick, easy and cool way to change your look. It wasn’t long ago that cosmetic surgery was a hush-hush branch of medicine utilized primarily by aging celebrities. Today, it has become a status symbol for the masses. Therein lies the danger.
Fortunately, there are smarter, more loving voices speaking to women today, as well. The movement toward self-acceptance and the celebration of diverse body types is growing gradually. Queen Latifah’s Jenny Craig ads are a beautiful example. Latifah isn’t talking about losing weight for vanity or social acceptance. She’s talking about health and fitness. Her ads tie in nicely with the current Slim Fast campaign which features all those fine, voluptuous ladies (mm-mm-mmmm!) and urges women to “find your slim.”
This change in attitude will do more to uplift women and save lives than any proposed legislation.
Oh, and since we’re sort of talking about Kanye West, would somebody please tell this brother that his displays of arrogance are not cute? As if throwing hissy fits because someone else won an award wasn’t embarrassing enough, Kanye has now taken to acting a fool when he actually does win something. Last week, he accepted his Best International Male artist honor at the Brit Awards with a taped message saying, “I'm sure someone deserves this more than me, but I'm not sure who. I've tried this humility thing but I don't like it, it doesn't feel natural."
That statement wasn’t just cocky, but speaking in artistic terms it didn’t even make sense. Kanye is enormously successful and he’s earned his props, but he isn’t the greatest artist in the world. He isn’t even the greatest artist in his genre. (I’m not a hip hop aficionado but even I can name several rappers who are equal if not superior lyricists and emcees to Kanye.) If living legends who’ve had 30, 40 and 50 year careers can stand on a stage and say thank you with grace and dignity then surely Kanye can do the same. That would be a sign of true greatness.
HEAR the Donda West commentary:
I’m Cameron Turner and that’s my two cents. I always want to hear yours so holla back on the message board or hit me on my e-mail: TurnersTwoCents@aol.com
THINK! IT AIN’T ILLEGAL…YET!