Posts tagged media
StopHatingYourBody
On a mission to live a body positive life
I work as a cashier and I often get to watch the negative affects magazine headlines have on customers. This one in particular hit a nerve on a personal level. So I Fixed it! All I see now, is a bunch of confident ladies and gentlemen rocking it at the beach. Don’t let the media tell you what your body is or isn’t. The shape of your body doesn’t make it “better” or “worse”. Every body is a good body.
This is a series of ads from the early 20th century right up to the 1970s.
You might notice what they’re advertising is, instead of the weight loss solutions we’re used to today, they’re actually advertising weight GAIN.
‘It’s hard to believe they once called me skinny!’
‘Skinny girls are NOT glamour girls!’
‘a skinny, scarecrow figure is neither fashionable nor glamourous!’
‘thousands quickly gaining beauty-bringing pounds!’
Notice how less than a hundred years ago, these ads were meant to shame thin bodies the way weight loss ads shame fat bodies today? Notice that how as time goes by, the ‘ideal’ body shape changes from era to era? Notice how in these ads as well as those seen today, they’re meant to make people feel bad about the way they look?
These ads are just as bad as the ones that run today. They’re meant to shame you and make you feel inadequate for one sole reason: so you go out and spend money on their products. It’s not about your self esteem, your health, or your happiness. It’s about selling the product. It’s about making the money.
Your body is NOT wrong. You don’t need pills, diets, or supplements to make you happy, attractive, or ‘right’. All bodies are good bodies. It doesn’t matter if you’re skinny, fat, tall, short, disabled, scarred, anything at all.
Do not let the media dictate what you think you should be. The media is fickle. It does not care about you. Don’t let yourself care about what it says.
Love,
Horizons Project's 'Who's That Girl' Campaign Seeks to Inform About AIDS and Trans Women
DETROIT - About 50 people showed up Sept. 21 for the launch of Who’s That Girl, a media project presented by the Horizons Project and supported by the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Health Disparities Reduction Minority Health Section. The project, which includes images of four young transgender women, is a marketing effort to change media and societal perceptions of the transgender community.
“The purpose of the campaign is to provide understanding about HIV, especially in the trans community,” said Bre’ Campbell, the project’s coordinator. “A lot of times, when AIDS messages are put out they do not include trans women.”
All of the women featured in the campaign are under the age of 25 and active in the community. Campbell said they illustrate that “regardless of what society thinks about trans women, they are smart, they are successful, they are educated and they are loved.”
The Horizons Project launched the campaign at a reception at Wayne State University’s Student Center. About 50 people attended, and after they ate and had an opportunity to view the images, they were witness to a very informative panel discussion featuring the four women who comprise the campaign.
“If you look at the photos, it shows that even though we are in some ways different, we are still human and can still blend in,” said Sahray Arnold. “Even though we’re not all the same, we’re all the same inside and we’re all of value.”
Mia Cole said she believes society at large is misinformed about trans women and only knows what they see on trash TV.
“Everyone thinks transgender women are what you see on Jerry Springer and that’s not it,” she said. “We don’t walk down the street snatching our wigs off. We’re very smart and intelligent. You shouldn’t reject the unfamiliar because we have a lot to offer.”
A fashion model and harpist, WSU student Ahya Simone said she hopes to help change society’s perception of trans women.
“I take joy in educating people about women like me,” Simone said. “There are few [images] out there and I want to be that face. I just want to be a role model for girls like us, and women in general.”
Not all discrimination comes from outside sources, though. The women all shared that they were often marginalized by others in the LGBT community.
“The ‘T’ is in there,” said Krystina Edwards. “So I’m gonna need the L, the G, and the B to embrace us.”
The images in the campaign were all shot by photographer Jhordan Haliburton.
“At first I was kind of nervous about it because it was my first professional photo shoot,” he said. “But they came out great. I love them. They came out very wonderful.”
Look for images from the campaign to appear in the pages of Between The Lines soon.
(Jason A. Michael, Originally printed 9/27/2012, Issue 2039 - Between The Lines News)
(Source: transfeminism)
Can I talk about androgyny for just a moment?
(Let’s face it, I rant, so probably more than a moment)
My first problem; cross dressing is not androgyny, and women wearing ‘feminized’ male fashion like button ups and suspenders in ‘feminine’ colors is not androgyny. Androgyny is the sense you give off. It is the feeling you give, not merely what you wear. Being so, I’m kind of tired of stalking the androgyny tag and having this be all I see. Fucking with gender norms does not make you androgynous.
My second problem; that advertising uses androgyny to be purposely controversial. Take the new Toyota commercial everyone is buzzing about. It sets up activists/’totally forward thinking’ people to say it’s okay for us to be attracted to people we can perceive as one gender (even if it’s not their gender), but then the ‘big reveal’ comes to show us they’re actually the opposite and society gets to take the attraction back under a mask of disgust. Spark controversy. Get your product out there. Support misogyny and gender discrimination in the process.
Last problem; there are only two acceptable faces of androgyny. The first being the feminist lesbian who ‘obviously’ has penis envy and wants male equivalency. The second being the male model who makes a living off of it because it’s ‘obviously’ not okay for a ‘real’ man to ever want to look feminine and is also either gay or really a trans woman. But you know, even people who are so ‘supportive’ of ‘alternative lifestyles’, like androgyny, are supremely hypocritical. They make bigoted mistakes themselves when they shuck the two-faces system only to retain the third underlying factor that the system also has: if you’re going to be androgynous and look good, you have to be white or overexpose your photos if you aren’t. (yeah yeah I’m white and I have privilege so I shouldn’t be saying anything. Whatever. I’m allowed to wish there were more prominent androgynous role models who are POC without society telling them they don’t have ‘the look’.)
Okay, I’m done. Feel free to flame away.
As I’ve been receiving and answering questions, I’ve noticed one question being asked more and more above all others.
In short: “HOW do I deal with fat shaming?”
Part one of this video series covers my number one way to deal - Going on a “Media Diet”I’ll be continuing this series at a random pace that will be dictated by my life, schedule, habits, and ever-changing states of mind. Nevertheless, the planned topic for subsequent vlogs will focus on how to deal with fat shaming in public and online spaces.
I’m not perfect. It’s hard to love my body. But you know what? I do. I chose this picture because it’s me dressed as Catwoman for halloween- you know, that character that’s supposed to be stick thin, apparently. I felt sexy that night and every time I look at this picture. Guess what? I would’ve worn a catsuit- but they are expensive as hell in my size. I love my breasts, I love my thick thighs, I’m even learning to love my belly rolls.
I’ve been bullied. For being poor, fat, wearing glasses, liking girls…and I’m through with letting the idea that self worth is based on how close you are to a playboy bunny and just descends from there. I’ve struggled with depression, self harm, eating disorders and suicide attempts. I am a survivor, and I know it’s rough- it still is for me- but you CAN get through it.
My message- thin, chubby, fat- whatever, bodies are beautiful! Personally, I think chubby women are sexy! I’m bisexual but now engaged to a wonderful scrawny guy- who is starting to get the tiniest bit of pudge on his middle. He frets over it- but I kiss it and say it’s adorable.
Be healthy, and be HAPPY being the wonderful creature you are! Male, Female, Black, White, Latino, Chinese, gay, straight, bi, trans..whatever YOU ARE, you’re a worthwhile wonderful person who DESERVES respect. Also- if you want someone to talk to who won’t judge you, feel free to message me on my blog. I’m here.
Trigger Warning: Negative body image, bullying, depression and anxiety.
Hello, I’m Rosemary and I’m twenty years old. And these are my teeth. For years I’ve been ridiculed about my teeth. They’ve never been straight, and they probably won’t be for a long time. My father, unfortunately, doesn’t think that braces are a necessity, so he refuses to pay half of the bill with my mother, therefore, I do not get braces. Ever since I lost my baby teeth as a child, and these came in, I’ve hated myself. I’ve felt extremely ugly, and just down right awful about myself. For years I was teased mercilessly. But recently, I’ve decided, I need to stop letting others dictate what is and isn’t normal, and what is and isn’t beautiful. These are my teeth- why do YOU care what they look like? They’re not in your mouth, they’re in mine. I’m almost twenty-one years old, I can’t be held down by society’s constraints any longer!
If anyone needs someone to talk to, about anything, I’m always here to help. And some encouraging words to me might help! You’re all beautiful, don’t forget that! <3
brightjustlikethestarsaboveme.tumblr.com
TW: mentions of eating disorder, cutting
This is me, with my mother. I have struggled with an eating disorder (not diagnosed) since November 2011, cutting since April 2009- you can see one of my scars just under my bikini. It has taken me a long time to realise this, but I have slowly come to love my body. It was damn hard, and it took time. It wasn’t my doctors or my parents, it was all me, and i’m proud of that. My body is mine, I’m stuck with it for the rest of my life, so i’m gonna love it.
My mother is a size 12-14 (Aussie sizes) but she is honestly one of the most beautiful women I have seen. Wherever I go with her she gets stares from men and women alike. I know she doesn’t see herself as that beautiful, but she loves her body and has never tried to be super skinny. She is a huge role model to me, and I love her very much.
My regular blog: http://d-e-e-p-t-h-r-0-a-t.tumblr.com
My feminist blog: http://pro-choice-always.tumblr.com
(Source: quotesfromawannabeprincess, via fuckyeahbodyimage)
Last year, there was a program (I am unsure if it aired anywhere else) but it aired in England. It was called ‘Dirty Sexy Things’ and followed a group of 8 models. At the time, I wasn’t very body-conscious and just watched the program because I simply enjoyed it and I didn’t compare myself to the thin, lithe female models that paraded in their underwear. I remember there was one scene when one of these models stretched their arms above their head and their spine pushed against their skin - you know what I mean. At the time, my immediate reaction was “Oh my god, that girl is TOO skinny” and I was joyous I didn’t have the pressure to be so skinny.
Today, I was getting changed for P.E. (gym if you are from the US) lesson and I looked at my friend who did exactly the same as what the female model did in ‘Dirty Sex Things’ which had disgusted me so, just mere months ago. When I saw her spine push against her skin near the nape of her neck my first thought was “Oh my god, I wish I was THAT skinny”.
Strange, how somebodies’ body image can deteriorate can so rapidly so quickly.
Please do not be offended when I say I so shocked that someone can be so skinny. If that is your body type, that is fine and YOU ARE GORGEOUS.
I’ve been following this blog for a long time now and it makes me a little upset over every submission. Every big person wants to be small and vice versa. We all envy each other, but who says there’s a “perfect” body that every male and female is suppose to have? Our bodies is what makes us all unique whether short, tall, skinny, big, apple shaped, pear shaped, etc, why would you want to be a copy of someone else? Sure the media exposes us to all these celebrities with thin, curvy bodies…but even THEY are insecure. Make-up, surgery, weave/hair extentions/wigs, and implants are all celebrities are made up of now a days…why do we have to spend so much money just to cover up who we really are? I say instead of pointing out all of our flaws, we instead embrace each and every one because it’s what makes you…YOU :) And if anyone ever wants to talk or ask for advice…my ask box is always open :)
BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!
Hi my name is Kelsey (: I have had loads of insecurities ever since I was 10. I couldn’t feel comfortable in my own skin until just recently, which I am 19 now. Trigger warning…
I have been a self-hater & bullied for more than 10 years because of my body type. I’ve self-harmed even though you can’t see my scars. I’ve been sexually abused more than once even though you can’t see my pain. I have had an eating disorder even if it doesn’t show. I have hid my body even though you’re seeing it now. I’ve struggled with my sexuality even though you can’t tell. I’ve been & still am dealing with depression. What I’m trying to say is that it gets better. You can always change your body, but why do it when you can worry about other things that go on in your life. Stop worrying of what others think of you because not everyone is going to love you, but you should cherish the ones that do. I want to be an image that I wanted when I was growing up for women & girls that no matter what bigger size you are, you are lovely. My family is full of big boned & thin sized women, they both struggle with their bodies, & I’m the first out of all of them that is honestly proud of the body I have. It’s hard, I know. You should start loving themselves more, because you are worth it <3
This is who I am. This is not a “cute” or “beauty” picture of myself, but it represent exactly as I am. I’m not a curvy girl, I nearly don’t have any tits or ass, and I’m not fat or skinny either.
I’ve been always self-conscious about myself. When I was 9 I used to cry in front of the mirror, with my mother telling me that it was my responsibility to change things. And it’s true, but I don’t have to change my body, I have and will change their minds.
This year I discovered feminism, and it changed my life. I no longer shave, and I’m happy with it, even when it’s hard to show it sometimes.
I like myself because I’ve chosen to be like this. I’m a beautiful woman, even in “social” or “fashion” terms, but that’s not the point.
I love myself, and I’m not a girl, or a boy, I’m a human.
I’m about to shave my head, so I’ll upload a new picture soon! :)
I love you. Come and visit me anytime you want!
BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!
(I just posted this on my personal blog, and someone suggest I submit here, so I said why the hell not!)
An open letter to everyone that ever shamed me for my body:
I have hated my legs since I can humanly remember. I have been waiting years, literally my entire life, to be at the point where I can be comfortable in a bathing suit and just not care.
And finally, I think I’m there. It’s still hard and terrifying and a slew of other nasty things, and I may be MORE comfortable with shorts on, but I don’t want to rip my skin off when I walk around like this/don’t have shorts on, either.
I have scars, stretch marks, big thighs, a jiggly tummy, big arms, double chin.
Everything that society tells me I should be ashamed of, that I should hide (for my own sake, of course, and jesus christ won’t you think of the children!), and that I am not allowed to be comfortable until all of these things are rectified.
And ya know what I say?
Motherfucker, I’m gonna do whatever the fuck I want with my fat body and if you don’t like it I don’t give a shit, because I, for one, FINALLY do. It is MINE, after all.
People still find me beautiful, gorgeous, fuckable (without being turned into a fetish, which clearly is the only reason anyone would fuck a fat girl), and loveable, even with all these things that you see as fatal flaws. And once I realized that they aren’t doing me a favour, that they very well could just want me for me in my entirety, everything changed.
So fuck you. I’ll wear a goddamn bikini if I want to, and I will do it with a big fucking smile on my face, and I hope that as I walk by you with my big fat ass jiggling side to side, you are as uncomfortable looking at it as I was fucking hating myself because of it.
If the way that I look makes you uncomfortable,
that is not
and will never
ever
be MY problem.
And I refuse to hate myself any longer to make YOU feel better about it.
Sincerely,
Kayti.
BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!
Trigger warning: eating disorders and self-harm
I’m Kyra and this is my 2nd time submitting on here. (and yes, that is The Hills on my TV).
I was 11 years old the last time I went swimming. I’ll be turning 18 at the end of month and I’m hoping to go the beach and wearing this swimsuit (with matching bottoms of course) and looking just like this. I’ve never felt comfortable in my own skin and in my mind I was always ‘not skinny enough’, ‘not smart enough’, or ‘not pretty enough’ and I even hated the fact that I wasn’t white. I felt that I was not beautiful enough to be happy and loved. I took that anger out on myself with cutting and bulimia and I just hated myself. My own mother would tease me about my weight and tell me that if I lost weight I could finally get a boyfriend and she’d even make fun of my ED , like it was something to laugh at and when I was in high school I had friends who would tease me about my weight DAILY, luckily I cut those people out of my life and just told my mom to shut up. I now have about 4 friends who love me just the way I am and I’m quite fine with that. I’m learning to love everything about myself. My crooked teeth, my nose, my smile, my everything because I’m beautiful and I deserve to be loved and I deserve to be happy and so do you! You’re beautiful in every single way!
“You’re a human being, you live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake” – Emma Stone
Much love, Kyra (dammitannax.tumblr.com)
BE BRAVE! JOIN THE BODY PEACE REVOLUTION!
