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From: "Louise A. Schoggen" <las15@health.state.ny.us>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2449] Re: weight as an issue
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Extreme thinness is promoted largely because it is so difficult to obtain.
Models and actresses in the public eye generally have personal trainers,
dieticians/meal-preparers, stylists, assistants, etc. devoted to making
them thin, toned, and conventionally attractive. A not insignificant number
can add cosmetic surgery to the list. All this is still not enough, of
course-- when photographed or filmed, these celebrities must be further
made up, perfectly lit, and finally even Photoshopped to look just "right".
Meanwhile, the rest of us, without the time and financial resources to
devote to an army of body-maintainers, and without an airbrush artist to
idealize our features, must muddle along as best we can with our walks
around the block (if the area is safe enough) and attempts to find decent
produce in February (or, especially in poorer neighborhoods, in any month).
Thus, being extremely thin and toned becomes a characteristic of the
wealthy and famous....and who doesn't want to look like the elite?
Louise
"Andres Muro"
<AndresM@epcc.edu To: Multiple recipients of list
> <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov>
Sent by: cc:
nifl-womenlit@nif Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2448] weight
l.gov as an issue
01/21/2003 11:52
AM
Please respond to
nifl-womenlit
Daphnee asked:
Jody has mentioned that "weight is the last acceptable form of
discrimination". Do people see any signs that this is beginning to change?
No! and it is tricky.
On one hand you have the media that promotes a certain look, hence,
discriminating against anyone that does not fit that look. All media has
and continues to promote thinness, especially among women. Since the media
establishes acceptableness, anyone that does not fit the status quo, is not
acceptable in the dominant eye. Obsession with extreme thinness has led to
mental illness associated with being thin.
On the other hand, because America is a land of overabundance, there are,
in fact problems with excess, so obesity is a problem in America and
Western Europe. The combination of media's obsession with thinness and the
fact that in some cases obesity can be controlled has led to a doubled
attack on obesity.
The problem is that, aside from not being aesthetically acceptable by the
majority, or, unhealthy, or, in some cases controllable, there is nothing
wrong with being thin, or fat. Thinness can also be unhealthy, however,
because it does not go against the dominant aesthetic model, it is
accepted, even in cases of serious illness.
Some could argue that that obessitiy is attacked on grounds of
unhealthiness. However, heavy people are discriminated against more than
smokers, drinkers, bullimics and anorexics. Moreover, healthy heavy people
are discriminated against more than thin unhealthy people.
Since aesthetic standards are not universal, but socially created, I wonder
what is the social/economic explanation for promoting thinness? Could it
have something to do with workforce productivity/cost? (just speculating)
Andres
>>> alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu 01/17/03 06:15AM >>>
Jody has mentioned that "weight is the last acceptable form of
discrimination". Do people see any signs that this is beginning to change?
Daphne
Daphne Greenberg
Associate Director
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy
Georgia State University
University Plaza
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg@gsu.edu
>>> pjfern1@ix.netcom.com 01/16/03 10:49 AM >>>
Daphne,
Studies have shown weight is the last acceptable form of discrimination. As
hindsight is 20/20 it's easy to see what should have been said and done -
that the comment was unacceptable and hurtful, albeit unintentional.
I don't know what I would have done. By current medical standards, I am
considered "morbidly obese"at 5'2" and 158 pounds and a size 12-14. I don't
feel obese. But a comment made by me might be interpreted as jealousy of
thinner people. After all, many assume that obesity is a chosen condition
and if I had more self-control and exercised more, it would go away.
If there were another session, I would have definitely discussed it in the
context of all physical appearance.
Jody Fernandez
--- pjfern1@ix.netcom.com
The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be
indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.
George Bernard Shaw
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