While people often perceive her as airheaded and obnoxious because of her high-pitched voice and showy lifestyle, she is in fact a Dartmouth graduate who earned six Emmy awards and wrote two books and a show. She conveys the message that people should always be themselves by being unashamedly herself. She also inspires people of color through her successes, particularly her own show that she writes and acts in.
In a study done in 2011, 20 million women were affected by an eating disorder, and by age six, girls especially worried about their body image. 40-60% of elementary girls are concerned about their weight or being fat ( NEDA Editors 1). Kaling uses her influence and spreads the message that a person should care about character traits like intellect and wit, rather than superficial qualities. This outlook on life reminds women and men alike that life should be lived without worry about trivial things like looking fat.
Kaling presents herself as a role model who encourages others to gain confidence in themselves. Her point addresses many important issues. The first is that she is okay making mistakes because she does not dwell on it. Generalized Anxiety Disorder affects 6.8 million adults, and women are twice as likely to be affected as men (ADAA 1). Anxiety stems from many different sources, but common causes of GAD include social anxiety and constantly worrying about what others think. Though “curing” anxiety is hardly the result of deciding that others opinions truly do not matter much, it is certainly a step in changing an unhealthy mindset that causes stress.
The second issue she addresses in her quote is about how people are uncomfortable with women who don’t hate themselves. In Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In, Sandberg cites the Heidi/Howard study, in which a group of men and women were given Heidi’s ambitious resume, but one was labeled with her actual name, and the other, “Howard” (Adams 1). The group rated this fictitious “Howard” higher than Heidi. The conclusion is that if a man is successful and uses his strong personality to get ahead, he is well-liked, but if a woman does the same, both genders like her less. Though this study was done in 2003, the results still have validity today. People, both men, and women are still afraid of a successful and confident women. But Kaling wants people to remember that other people’s opinions do not, and should not change the way people view themselves.
In most shows and movies, it’s usually a tall, strikingly beautiful and fit white woman who defies all odds and fights back against the patriarchy. Kaling shows that even a woman who does not follow the typical ideals of a beautiful woman can be seen as more than just the sassy Indian friend or a fling for the male lead. Her character validates that any woman, not just supermodel-like ones, have important opinions and deserve to be treated as equals.
Mindy Kaling is a modern-day hero. She challenges herself, faces her own fears, and serves as an example for others. Too many people discount the value that role models hold, but seeing someone with the same skin tone, gender, and similar life obstacles achieve her dreams, can be an immeasurable source of hope and promise.
Works Cited
ADAA. “Understanding GAD – and Its Symptoms.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, 2016, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad.
Adams, Susan. “10 Things Sheryl Sandberg Gets Exactly Right in ‘Lean In’.” Forbes, Forbes Brand Voice, 4 Mar. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/04/10-things-sheryl-sandberg-gets-exactly-right-in-lean-in/#6443945b7ada.
Biography.com Editors. “Mindy Kaling.” The Biography.com Website, A&E Television Networks, 12 July 2016, www.biography.com/people/mindy-kaling.
Hilton, Perez. “Mindy Kaling Isn’t Naming Her Baby Daddy — Just Like These Other Stars!” PerezHilton RSS, 8 Aug. 2017, perezhilton.com/2017-08-18-mindy-kaling-keep-baby-daddy-secret#.WhzYZLaZO8U.
Houlihan, Ryan. “35 Mindy Kaling GIFs That Are So Relatable, It Hurts.” Teen Vogue. TeenVogue.com, 23 June 2016, https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/best-mindy-kaling-gifs
Kaling, Mindy. Is Everyone Hanging out without Me? (and Other Concerns). Three Rivers Press, 2015.
NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION Editors. “What Are Eating Disorders?” NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS ASSOCIATION, 2016, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-facts-eating-disorders+.