One of my favorite websites is one that glorifies obese women. I’m going to admit right off the bat that the reason it is one of my favorite sites is because I like a good laugh. This certain photographer (Substantia Jones) takes pictures of very large women, mostly nude photos, but does not disclose their faces. Here is a piece from her mission statement:
MISSION:
The Adipositivity Project aims to promote size acceptance, not by listing the merits of big people, or detailing examples of excellence (these things are easily seen all around us), but rather, through a visual display of fat physicality. The sort that's normally unseen.
The hope is to widen definitions of physical beauty. Literally.
I’ve got a huge (pardon the pun) problem with what this site stands for. Since when is being unhealthy beautiful? I mean seriously. I know that people struggle with their weight and want to feel good about themselves but to display obesity like it’s some kind of trophy is horrifying to me! If Miss Jones aim really was to promote size acceptance, then where are all the photos of anorexic women?? Oh but that’s a disease, one that should never be glorified! Well I’ve got news for you, so is obesity! I’m tired of hearing large people say “I love my body!” because even if they do (which I’m reluctant to believe them) the truth is, their body is not a healthy one much the same as an anorexic body isn’t. Why do we pretend to believe that it’s okay to be obese and to embrace your figure? That figure is not natural nor is it okay. I’m not sure why we shun drugs, cigarettes, anorexia…all things that are NOT GOOD FOR YOU, but obesity?? Obesity is beautiful! While I don’t hold anything against anyone who is obese I also will never tell you, you should continue to live that way because it is NOT GOOD FOR YOU!
That’s fine if Substantia Jones wants to photograph obese women but to do so for the reason of acceptance is absurd to me. I think it’s sending the wrong message. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but health isn’t. To say it’s okay to be obese is saying it’s okay to risk your health much the same way drugs do. I don’t see anyone taking pictures of drugies and passing them off as acceptable and beautiful.
I have included some pictures from Substantia’s site as well as some anorexic women. Needless to say, I had a hard time finding a website much like Adipositivity that was devoted to anorexics. Go figure.
OMG. I'm not sure which photos made me the most disgusted! I agree with you completely. I never understood the acceptance of obesity...even when it is one of the largest killers of our time. Accepting your body is one thing...if you are doing all you can to be healthy. If you are spitting out Cheetos and Oreos while you are proclaiming your obese curves, not cool.
ReplyDeleteDamn, now I want some Cheetos! Good entry Amy Lou!
I've posted for Substantia. It was fun, and I enjoyed seeing my pix once they were posted. So did my friends and boyfriend. After I'd looked a few times, I moved on to other things.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that TAP is one of your favorite websites, and you know all of the different types of pix, and reasons behind them, that she posts, makes me highly suspicious that you're checking them out just to 'laugh.' I think your preference might be showing, Harry.
I mean, fuck--I'm ON the site, and I haven't even looked at it as often as you seem to have.
But that's ok. We all like what we like. No shame in that. But maybe if you are less judgemental about others, you'll find that you accept yourself more. Life is long if you're mean! Peace.
The problem I see with this blog is the comparison between an extreme and a (and I hate to say it) relative norm. you cannot compare a woman who has an actual disorder with a woman who enjoys a Big Mac or Dairy Queen Blizzard more than 3 times per week(or whatever) and is a little chunky and just dont feel like exercising. Anorexia Nervosa is a disease. look it up. dont take my word for it. Now if you were talking about the type of person that has to be moved from the house to the hospital using a forklift and Fire crew, thats one thing. I'd accept that comparison. but thats not the comparison you made. Compare extreme with extreme. not extreme with relatively normal.
ReplyDeleteI'd venture to say that obesity can be a disease as well. I have thyroid problems that developed in Jr high. I gained around one thundered pounds in one year. It's not good to eat unhealthy. I never ate My differently then the people around me. But my thyroid problems make it so I hold onto a lot of weight and make it very very hard to loose it. Sometimes we don't know the reason why women or men are over weight. If they as 're eating unhealthy then so be it. They know the consequences and what to do about it. But as for me I hope that people would give me the benefit of the doubt and think that maybe it's not my fault and that I'm doing the best I can each day. But sometimes no matter how hard I try it doesn't work.
ReplyDeletePhilosowhatzits well said. There are uniquely thin people with high metabolisms and slight frames who suffer from extreme allergies and are otherwise healthy (kinda) but then there are those girls who starve themselves intentionally, fully aware of the damage they do to their bodies and actually take pride in doing so, all while displaying an obvious arrogant tone of supierority or acheivement by becoming so unattractively tiny...... I don't see a comparison to those who love their bodies and are actually HEALTHY while.being close to or over 200 lb.s who are so over all these assumptions that being such a weight os automatically unhealthy. I asure you, it is not. The difference is love vs disqust of one's body. Chubby girls who flaunt their curves actually care about their health and are usually surprisingly fit and strong. There are a few who are actually out of shape, but not even close to all of them. Hate to burst your distoorted bubble, love.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Where are the glorified pictures of anarexic men and women? Open a magazine much?? Lol are u flipping kidding?
ReplyDeletethinspiration seems like it glorifies anorexia and there's a ton of that
ReplyDelete