Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Hair Removal Commercials: Guilty of Sexism
Usually, hair removal ads are a little more subtle, but this came out and blatantly said it.
White Washing in the Media
White washing people of color is one of the most destructive beauty standards of them all. It destroys the idea that people of color are beautiful and worthwhile, and instills racism. It makes women and girls believe that they can only be pretty if they are "white passing." Here are some pretty severe examples.
People should be outraged at the blatant difference of these photos. It isn't innocent or a mistake, it is perpetual and damaging. Representation is one of the most vital parts to not only acceptance of others, but of acceptance of self.
People should be outraged at the blatant difference of these photos. It isn't innocent or a mistake, it is perpetual and damaging. Representation is one of the most vital parts to not only acceptance of others, but of acceptance of self.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Photoshop: A Friend and a Foe
Body Essay Project
Another important point I am making in posting this is that often women's bodies are sexualized. I think it is important for people to see bodies that are not in a sexual context, because women are more than just bodies.
Women and Body Hair
Body hair on women is just as natural as body hair on men, yet somehow in America it is stigmatized as the most unsightly and disgusting of things. The craziest part of this strong stigma? It's only been around for less than 100 years! The need for women to shave their underarms didn't start until 1915, and it was a result of an ad claiming that to wear a dress without sleeves, you must "first move any objectionable hair." By 1992, women's razors were being sold in the Sears Roebuck Catalog. Advertisers no longer had to justify their products any more, essentially meaning that women had been convinced that it was not only trendy, but necessary. Women didn't start shaving their legs until the 1940s, even though during the 20s the flappers had short hem lines that displayed their legs and knees, without bothering to shave.
Now, women are instilled with such an intense standard of being hairless, that even girls as young as nine, in the case of Ellen Friedrichs, feel ugly and humiliated by their own bodies. Here are four reasons that women should stop stigmatizing body hair:
Now, women are instilled with such an intense standard of being hairless, that even girls as young as nine, in the case of Ellen Friedrichs, feel ugly and humiliated by their own bodies. Here are four reasons that women should stop stigmatizing body hair:
1. Children are Very Impressionable, and This Stigma Sets a Precedent for Young Girls
2. It Plays into a Gender Binary, and the Violence That Comes With It
3. It's Not Just for Lesbians
4. It contributes to Othering
Not to mention, women pay the "pink razor tax" when they buy razors "made for women."
What?? What is this crazy double standard.
Don't get me wrong, I am not shaming the bodies of women who DO shave. That isn't my point. My point is that if you want to shave, you should. If you don't want to shave, you shouldn't. If you want to shave sometimes and not shave other times, hey go for it! My point is this;
Women should do what is most comfortable for their body, and not face discrimination or harassment for having body hair.
Thin Shaming
This blog has overwhelmingly been dedicated to fat-shaming. This is because it is a serious problem in America, but I do not defend thin-shaming either. The point is that ALL bodies are good bodies.
Lily James, who stars in Disney's new Cinderella movie has been receiving tons of hateful skinny shaming comments, stating that "her waistline is bad for girl's self image." This is classic "think of the children" mentality. I guess I can understand where some of these viewers are coming, because representation is important in pop culture. But does that make Lily James not of less value as an actress? Of course not. She is not defined by her body. Yes, representation for large bodies are important, but that doesn't mean that small, thin bodies are of any less importance. It doesn't mean that this woman's waistline is what defines her in her profession. She responded to criticism stating,
Lily James, who stars in Disney's new Cinderella movie has been receiving tons of hateful skinny shaming comments, stating that "her waistline is bad for girl's self image." This is classic "think of the children" mentality. I guess I can understand where some of these viewers are coming, because representation is important in pop culture. But does that make Lily James not of less value as an actress? Of course not. She is not defined by her body. Yes, representation for large bodies are important, but that doesn't mean that small, thin bodies are of any less importance. It doesn't mean that this woman's waistline is what defines her in her profession. She responded to criticism stating,
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“On one hand its upsetting and one the other hand it’s just boring... I mean, why do women always get pointed at for their bodies?
“This whole thing happened and I’m constantly having to justify myself. I’m very healthy and I always have been.”
The idea that all women are going to fit into a certain body type is ridiculous, and yet somehow expected. In this decade, it consists of a tall, curvy woman with a large butt, large bust, and small, toned waistline. Anyone who does not fit this ideal is shamed for this or that. It is important to remember that all women are "real women" despite thin shaming and body shaming. It is common for thin bodied women to be told they "aren't real women" or that they are sticks or bones, and that men don't want them. For example:
The idea that all women are going to fit into a certain body type is ridiculous, and yet somehow expected. In this decade, it consists of a tall, curvy woman with a large butt, large bust, and small, toned waistline. Anyone who does not fit this ideal is shamed for this or that. It is important to remember that all women are "real women" despite thin shaming and body shaming. It is common for thin bodied women to be told they "aren't real women" or that they are sticks or bones, and that men don't want them. For example:
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These images are just as destructive to women as fat shaming and bullying. Don't even get me started about how they not only thin shame but also place the value of a woman in terms of what men think of her. Many women see these kinds of posts on social media, particularly Facebook, and mistake them for body positive messages. Putting other people down about their bodies is not how someone should find value in their own. There have been many proper responses to these kinds of images.
So remember, if anyone body shames you, whether it is thin shaming, fat shaming, tall shaming, small shaming, any shaming. Your body does not define who you are as a person
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Amina Turrell Combats Self Hate in LA
Loving Everything Including Stretch Marks
Stretchmarks can happen to virtually anyone. They are common and harmless, but often stigmatizes as ugly and bad.
To date, there are 90,97 posts under the "LoveYourLines" tag, and counting!
Recently, Sports Illustrated supermodel Chrissy Teigen posted a photo of herself in shorts, with the caption "Stretchies say Hi!"
This Sparked a hashtag campaign of self love on social media, under #LoveyourLines. There are numerous photos of women flaunting their stretch marks on Instagram including:
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| class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crissy Teigen's Photo exposing stretch marks on her thighs Image Source |
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| DISCLAIMER: These images belong to Instagram and their respective users |
These social campaigns are crucial to changing the harmful attitudes that women have against each other, and themselves. Exposure to these perfectly natural parts of our bodies lead to acceptance. Join the campaign, and love yourself.
You can't see Lifestyle in a Photo
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| Tess Holliday Image Source |
This is the beautiful plus sized model Tess Holiday. Recently, she was signed with MiLK Model Management. Feedback includes incredible amounts of positivity, but in many cases, there are "concern trolls" as Kelsey Miller calls them. Concern trolls often pose as friendly with only the intent of helping, and often say things like:
"So sad to see a young woman give up and accept obesity. There are no healthy obese people."
"Sure, she's beautiful, but is she healthy?"
"I'm sorry she's so lazy, but this woman is setting a horrible example for the nation's kids!"
These "concerned" people are worse than outright bullies, because in most cases, they don't think they are bullies. They think they are just "trying to help you out."
The fault in these trolls is a major one; they are trying to diagnose your WHOLE life in one photo.
You cannot see her daily routines, what she eats, how much she exercises, in one photo.
These thinly veiled comments are just fatphobia in disguise. If a person was a size two in a photo, people would not question her lifestyle or heath. Size is not a reflection of health, in fact, there are plenty of tiny people who live incredibly unhealthy lives, including models. Small models constantly monitor their weight, and there are even known cases of anorexia in models. How is THAT any more healthy than this glowing confident model?
Don't get me wrong, I am not body shaming women with small bodies. ALL bodies are good bodies, and that is the point. My point is that fat bodies are stigmatized as bad bodies more often than small bodies are. Any implication of this woman's health is PREJUDICE.
Lastly, I am not condoning unhealthy lifestyles by any means. Everybody has their flaws in regards to heath, and everyone should try hard to work on these flaws. Never gone to the gym? Try it. Are you concerned about your body? Time to see a doctor. However, you should love your body regardless of what it looks like. Self Love is the ultimate goal regardless of your shape or size.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Sizing and "One Size Fits All?"
Everyone knows what "one size fits all" is supposed to mean, but what does it imply? Do people actually think that one size fits all is an easy, effective way to make cute clothing?
In my experience, "one size fits all" is a myth. I have yet to find a piece of clothing labeled as such that really would "fit all."
My take away from one size fits all, is that it is made for whatever the brand deems the "average" or "desirable body". Usually, one size fits all does not even go over the bodies or large women. It also sags loosely on small bodies.
The implication? If your body doesn't fit, you don't have a good body, as one of the girls says. I think this is just the very tip of the iceberg. One size fits all clothing can make a person feel bad, what about brands that vary drastically in size?
In America, we are so size obsessed that companies tamper and adjust jean sizes with both good and ill intent.
In conclusion, I think that if all companies and corporations had restricted rules on sizing clothes that it would reduce the psychological toll it takes on women to find clothing that fits us. If you're a woman who struggles with finding the right clothes, just know that you are not alone.
Burlesque Dancer Tears Apart Negative Body Image
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One of the most interesting things she addresses is the studies that are conducted that prove that what one sees more often, is what one defines as beautiful. When one was more often exposed to little bodies, they preferred little bodies. When one was exposed to larger bodies, they preferred larger bodies. This illustrates how, if everyone was constantly exposed to all kinds of body types, we would all accept, tolerate, and even prefer all kinds of bodies.
Lillian really addresses some of the most important points when it comes to body image and courage. It is important for women, for all people, to know that fat is not the worst thing you can be.
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