Beauty is NOT Defined by Body Image

In today’s culture we are impressed with the belief that size is what determines beauty. These ideas start with the waist size of run way models and then are reinforced by the size 2 mannequins standing in department windows. Instead of having a positive effect on the perception of body image, it instead breeds unhealthy eating habits that deny the body necessary nutrients  causing detrimental health damage for those who want to achieve this look. It is completely unrealistic that every person can be a size 2; as human beings we are all born with our own unique genetics that develop our individual size and shape. Although our culture encourages the mindset that body size defines beauty it must be established for all rational purposes, it is not true. Unfortunately these messages have caused dangerous eating disorders. Putting oneself through constant self-scrutiny to achieve an unrealistic goal is detrimental to one’s physical, mental and emotional being.  The only way to change this way of thinking is to understand that it is not societies place to accept an individual. It is the individual that needs to accept themselves. Every person has the right to live in their own skin and find happiness with whom they are and who they were born to be. 

It was amazing to find out the HUGE gap in life expecancy of women in the world. It was very clear that women that lived in Asia, Europe and North America for example had a much longer life span then women in the Middle East or Africa. I can only imagine all the hardships that create drastic numbers like these such as disease, famine and just the overall work it takes to survive in some of these countries.

traditions or stereotypes?

So I was reading "Representations of Women In World Media" and it really got me thinking on a couple different important issues regarding women. For one as much as I may think women in America today lead the example of what it means to live in an egalitarian society, the reality is in some ways  we really don't. Yes, we have come VERY far in equal rights and having a vote and really taking lead on some very powerful positions in Government. But we still have not been able to move past the "role"of a woman in society. As the chapter in World Media discusses, there are still many biases that are in my opinion brushed under the rug or possibly ignored for the sake of traditional purposes. One example came to mind while reading, was commercials for laundry detergent. I can never remember watching a commercial that was advertising a new product with a man demonstrating the success of a particular detergent or any household good for that matter. It seems always a woman is representing the product. Now when it comes to promoting a good auto shop to take a car for an oil change whether in be AutoZone or Ford, it is ironic that it is generally a man that represents that company or product. Which tells me that, yes women have come along way in having their voice and opinion acknowledged and respected, but we have yet to move past traditional stereotypes of women.

opening remarks...

Baghdad Burning is an amazing read and I  actually kick myself for not knowing about the book already! I am not the most well read person by no means. But when it comes to Iraq and the war I do take a special interest and in some aspects it hits home directly. As I read into Riverbends world she has resurfaced so many issues that are either misunderstood or misconstrued by the media

I have known for years how much the government lies to the American people and or just left crucial parts of the truth out of a headliner. But it never fails to blow my mind over and over again. This book re breaks my heart but yet lifts my spirits at the same time. For one, it always disturbs me how people can use so much power to do so much damage out of pure greed. On the other hand I love that we live in an age now that we can shout back at the injustice we face without repercussions (such as blogging). Although Riverbend stays anonymous for her safety as well as her family's, she is fighting back with words about her peoples suffering. Her words are so much more powerful. In my mind I see how a bullet of a weapon fired can only travel a certain distance for impact, but words have no boundaries and no limit to the amount of impact that can be achieved. I know personally so many people that have prejudice stereotypes against the Iraqi people and she breaks all of them to pieces just with her literacy alone. Really, she puts allot of those same people that criticize and belittle Iraqi's to shame because I bet 2 to 1 they would need a dictionary on the side to reference!! lol