Irrellievancy: Rant: Body image backlash from a real, skinny woman
Hey ladies! Wanna get rid of those unsightly lady lumps? Then you should take Ellie’s Terrible Dietary Advice!
Simply lose your job so you’re living far below the poverty line, acquire a nasty drug habit and depression so that you barely feel like getting out of bed, much less eating…
This is definitely an issue within body/ fat acceptance, and one I tried to address today by sending an email to the organiser of a plus size fashion conference using the phrase “real woman” in the title of the event. The organiser’s other business is as plus size stylist, and she also uses the phrase in in that business name.
Also, on race and body image - it’s definitely, DEFINITELY being discussed. Intersectionality is, I think, being written about more and more (well, in the blogging world!)
Sweet. Do you know any decent blogs I could have a look at it? I find myself getting more and more frustrated reading some feminist blogs, for example, that exercise classism and racism to make a point.
Exactly. It’s so counter-productive to these causes and movements that are supposed to promote tolerance and diversity. Respect goes both ways. I don’t respect people if they don’t respect me - it’s as simple as that. And you don’t need to alienate other people to assert yourself. It’s unfortunate that there are aggressive, obnoxious people that turn otherwise wonderful ideas into another tool to hate others.I think it’s definitely reactionary behaviour for a lot of people to get into the [this group] vs [that group] mentality, but I hope continued involvement and discussion actually leads people to figuring out that standing on the shoulders of other people is a really crap foundation for self respect.
I think a lot of the [this group] vs [that group] mentality is exhibited by people who are quite new to the idea of self acceptance, and many move through it and find that it’s isn’t really as simple as getting a leg up on someone else. Nor does it lead to actual self acceptance!
Lesley and/or Marianne said in one of their fatcasts that many people enter fat acceptance because they want their piece of the pie, and yes, they may have been denied that piece of pie for a long time but continued involvement in social justice discussions should lead people to understand that it’s not just about your piece of the pie. It’s about the whole pie, and everyone’s relationship with it. They didn’t say that end bit, I’m… paraphrasing? Remembering? I totally recommend listening to the fatcasts, at any rate :P
Other good blogs written by people who influence me heavily:
- Red Vinyl Shoes
- Feminists with Disabilities
- Threadbared
- Shapely Prose
- The Angry Black Woman
- Fatshionista
- The Fat Nutritionist
- The Rotund (ROTUNDLR! heehee)
It’s important to note that these are largely US-centric blogs, something I am increasingly kind of disappointed about. I know of Australian blogs that are immersed in the fat side of things, but I’m not sure if that’s what you’re interested in following! If you are:
These are all off the top of my head, so I am pretty sure I’ve made omissions. I hope other people can recommend some more blogs!