tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post5414078773757371346..comments2024-03-28T03:13:28.585-04:00Comments on Beauty, and What It Means: Body-Positive Images: Not the Best Way to Body PositivityAutumn Whitefield-Madranohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03379314479257695986noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-87423055959154030442011-07-14T12:33:35.357-04:002011-07-14T12:33:35.357-04:00Cameo, excellent point about the perviness of some...Cameo, excellent point about the perviness of some of these sites. I mean, it's a difficult balance when you're putting images of yourself out there (I know I felt weird putting my "bombshell" pics out there, for many reasons, but specifically that I didn't like the idea of others looking at me in the exact way I was critiquing). Curve Appeal is appealing indeed, but that one in particular seems totally objectifying.<br /><br />Sui, right on! The double negative goes deeper than just words--it assumes that we start from a place of negativity. And certainly by the time someone is seeking out body-positive images, it feels like she's starting from a negative place, but I'd argue that there's power in going to the root--which for many women might be more positive than we think. (This is what I love about Rosie Molinary's work--it's rooted in positivity.)<br /><br />Head-Heart-Health, interesting point about ED recovery. I feel like these sites can cut both ways--for some in recovery it can be helpful, but for others who are at a different point along the recovery spectrum it can be triggering. I think that someone who is truly committed to recovery will do what you did, though, and self-monitor--I don't think that the sites have a responsibility to ED patients, though it's great that some of them include trigger warnings. In any case, I'm in agreement that the solution isn't necessarily to just abstain from images altogether--I mean, A) it's impossible, and B) it can indeed be transcendent, for the exact reasons of perspective that you mention. Together I think we can find a better way.<br /><br />Heather, I know some women really do feel a validation from these sites, but I tend to feel more the same way you do. It's unfortunate because I have no doubts that the people running these sites have only the best intentions--and I do think there's a way to do it without this result. I'm just not sure how.<br /><br />Davinia, it's so difficult, isn't it? To use the exact tools that have made so many women feel trapped, and take those tools as liberation--it's tempting, and I don't doubt that it *can* work. I don't think it *does* work as often as it might seem on it face, though. But then, what else are we to do? Because as you pointed out, we're so saturated with those hypermanipulated images that withdrawal isn't really a realistic (or desirable) option.<br /><br />Terri, I love that: "Something could be said about mastering the enemies' tools and recognizing that they are just that--tools." I love the idea that by using them you strip them of their power--not that then they become powerless, but rather the whole endeavor becomes more complex. I suppose that's the idea behind a lot of media literacy work--I'm thinking of Beauty Redefined, which deconstructs a lot of these images to reveal the smoke and mirrors therein.Autumn Whitefield-Madranohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03379314479257695986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-24430874772360823592011-07-07T21:48:27.141-04:002011-07-07T21:48:27.141-04:00I read the article you are riffing on here and can...I read the article you are riffing on here and can somewhat see the point it is making. I've found though that as an older blogger--who is nearing the end of her career and having raised a family--that my self-definition was fairly positive to begin with. I'm not publishing images of myself to improve body image--although blogging has taught me a thing or two about presentation and photography. Something could be said about mastering the enemies' tools and recognizing that they are just that--tools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-8650051320973543432011-07-07T15:28:10.483-04:002011-07-07T15:28:10.483-04:00I can see that these blogs have good intentions, a...I can see that these blogs have good intentions, and I do think it's good to surround yourself with images of 'real' bodies, to counter the effect of all the airbrushed and manipulated people we see every day on magazines, TV, etc. <br /><br />That said, having numbers and measurements so readily available might be counter-productive because people do tend to compare themselves to other people - even the most body loving of us do it.Daviniahttp://www.daviniahamilton.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-60225625248721080532011-07-07T07:39:20.490-04:002011-07-07T07:39:20.490-04:00I've just had a quick glance at these photo-ba...I've just had a quick glance at these photo-based blogs and I find myself screaming NOOOOOOOOOOO! in my head. Whilst I could clearly see some beautiful people, the message was lost on me as my instinct is to compare myself and ultimately feel worse about myself. I also think that it is a form of exhibitionism and seeks self-validation in a way that I'm just not comfortable with.<br /><br />Needless to say I will not be visiting them again.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04615013920803159125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-66075142728438486812011-07-07T03:04:47.976-04:002011-07-07T03:04:47.976-04:00This is such an interesting topic.
When I was re...This is such an interesting topic. <br /><br />When I was recovering from my ED I substituted images of larger women with brilliant self confidence and sex appeal for those of starving body builders with six packs. It allowed me to see that bigger women were beautiful too, but if I'm to be brutally honest, I did compare myself and think "at least I'm not as fat as that" (ouch, sorry). <br /><br />At some point, I stopped looking. It ceased to matter what other women looked like. Comparison is destructive.<br /><br />We are always going to bring our own stories to the images we see. It is a three part relationship - the photographer, the subject and the audience and all contribute to the 'meaning' of the image.<br /><br />Photos are not reality,in the same way that documentary films are not reality. We search for truth in images, films, literature and music, but in the end the only truth we find is what we bring to the experience.<br /><br />I wish I had an insightful conclusion but I fear I've just rambled on. I agree that we are not defined by our image, but I am also reluctant to give up the transcendent experience of contemplating an image of beauty or truth (however that is defined by me) that takes my breath away.<br /><br />KatieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-73931389366302457852011-07-07T01:58:00.667-04:002011-07-07T01:58:00.667-04:00"I also think it’s worthwhile to remember Aud..."I also think it’s worthwhile to remember Audre Lorde’s words here: The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house."<br />Oh gosh, you are RIGHT. I knew I felt a little funny when looking at the site stophatingyourbody. For one thing, it's a double negative-- why not "start loving your body"? Bleh. Sigh. Tumblr is a whole other thing together, just in terms of community-- how many of the members act and use the site.<br /><br />Sigh.suihttp://rvxn.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689865906513225949.post-10057723222152365432011-07-06T21:15:23.414-04:002011-07-06T21:15:23.414-04:00I read your article before looking at the sites yo...I read your article before looking at the sites you mention. It is such a wonderfully complicated and insightful post and made me think about imagery in a way I never have. Then I clicked on "Curve Appeal" followed by "stop hating your body" and I was blown away by how sad it really seems. I just feel bad for those girls. One is like a train wreck that you can't help but look at and the other is a hotbed for pervs! I don't see this helping anyone.Cameohttp://www.vergingonserious.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com