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By aas711 • 14 years ago

Being Fat

I’ll get down to it. I’m fat. I weigh 240 pounds and wear a size 18. There’s no way around it. I’m fat. I’m not lazy. I don’t gorge myself on junk food and candy. I eat three meals a day and have snacks on occasion. Sometimes, I drink soda. But I’m fat. And it’s no picnic. There’s a lot of pressure for women to be thin. Every newsstand holds magazines that show women photoshopped into oblivion to appease some contrived notion of beauty. Even Faith Hill needed 11 points of alteration. It’s so pervasive that some European countries have forced magazines to apply a health label similar to those found on cigarette cases. Many models are anorexic because of this conceived notion and so are a plethora of women.

But things change when you’re fat. And I don’t mean "OMG! I have to wear a size 12!" I mean going to Lane Bryant and not Forever 21. I mean shopping in the plus size section of every clothing store imaginable searching for the one pair of jean that’s your size because you don’t want to deal with the fact that a regular 18 doesn’t fit anymore. The level of self-consciousness that derives of being overweight oppresses every aspect of my day. From what I eat in front of other people, to how I eat, to what I wear and how I carry myself. Out in public, I put up a front. ...
By aas711 • 14 years ago

What Activism Really Means

So recently I’ve been active with our local Planned Parenthood. I’ve felt the need to become an activist for quite some time. I knew that being a feminist was more than just spewing rhetoric on the evils of patriarchy. It’s about making a difference and fighting patriarchy on the front line. But as I become more experienced with activism, I’ve learned that it’s so much more than just fighting the good fight. Activism yields a certain quality of life.

Making new friends
I met some interesting people through activism. And I’m not using interesting in a derogatory sense. These people are truly interesting with a fascinating past. I’ve met a woman who worked at an abortion clinic, and a ...

So recently I’ve been active with our local Planned Parenthood. I’ve felt the need to become an activist for quite some time. I knew that being a feminist was more than just spewing rhetoric on the evils ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

To all those non- fat acceptance haters who posted yesterday…

I know some people might not read this.  And I know that some people might flame me.  But dammit!  I’m mad!  No.  I’m Beyond mad.  I’m furious!  Samhita has often blogged about her weight issues and they are something I can much relate to and today’s Adipositive post wasn’t that different. Usually I find the whole comments section along the same line around hatred and bigotry on fat-hating.  Only that not what was there.  There were comments of that bigotry and hatred.  Okay.  No big deal.  Those typically don’t bother me.  I don’t invest much in blog comments.  Too much time and energy.  Until I read the quote:

"How about we do smoking acceptance next? Or how about alcoholic or abusive ...

I know some people might not read this.  And I know that some people might flame me.  But dammit!  I’m mad!  No.  I’m Beyond mad.  I’m furious!  Samhita has often blogged about her weight issues and they ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

My male feminist friend bought into Men’s Rights???

I’ll admit, I did too at first.  But thanks to this site, I’ve been able to see both sides of the issue and come to terms that patriarchy hurts everyone, even men. Gender equality is something I’m truly passionate for as a feminist because it’s good for both men and women.  Yes, being a feminist means I take a special interest in how things affect women, but I’m very interested in how sexism hurts men as well.  This mainstream dogma of what it is to be "manly" fascinates me to no end.

We’ve seen the men’s rights movement come up before with that guy who’s sueing Columbia for Women’s Studies (I’m bad with names) and today with the Men’s Rights and ...

I’ll admit, I did too at first.  But thanks to this site, I’ve been able to see both sides of the issue and come to terms that patriarchy hurts everyone, even men. Gender equality is something I’m ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

Why is my period taboo?

Today at work, a co-worker called me out for being loud.  That typically doesn’t bother me. But instead of telling me to lower my voice, she was obnoxious and announced "You’re really loud!" while I was talking to a customer.  I was taken aback and took liberty of blaming nature.  "I’m a bit hormonal today," I told her. 

"Oh so I’m not a woman and wouldn’t know? I have hormones too."

I mentally raised an eyebrow at her snide remark and continued with "Well I’m on my period."

"Way to broadcast it to the world.  Why don’t you say it louder."

"I don’t mind telling people when I’m on my period. I’ll say it to any one.  It isn’t like it’s something I need ...

Today at work, a co-worker called me out for being loud.  That typically doesn’t bother me. But instead of telling me to lower my voice, she was obnoxious and announced "You’re really loud!" while I was talking ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

Something every feminist should support

As a college student, I found out quickly that it’s ok to have several passions.  Obviously, feminism is a passion of mine.  I’m in full support of gender equality and reproductive rights.  But last year another socio-economic movement struck a chord of passion in my heart: fair trade.

For those of you who don’t know, Fair Trade is a movement to provide farmers, workers, and artisans with fair wages rather than minimum wages.  It is targeted more toward third-world countries, but can also be found in industrialized nations as well, such as the U.S. and Canada.  Fair Trade items can be as trivial as artwork and jewelry and as practical as food and clothing.  In Europe, the movement has taken hold ...

As a college student, I found out quickly that it’s ok to have several passions.  Obviously, feminism is a passion of mine.  I’m in full support of gender equality and reproductive rights.  But last year another socio-economic ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

While feministing today…

So I was bored since I’m in my dorm and not at home on this fine Labor Day weekend, and decided to check out the links from various Feministing blogs. And then came across this lovely gem after taking a link to the lovely Loose…erm I mean Luce Ladies.

On the whole man-hating thing, I guess they missed the one where the woman comes to love her vagina after the man tells her it’s beautiful.  I guess eating out put their brains into overload. No honor in mouth-to-genetalia pleasures.

Ultimate irony: I found this while wearing my V-Day shirt.

So I was bored since I’m in my dorm and not at home on this fine Labor Day weekend, and decided to check out the links from various Feministing blogs. And then came across this lovely gem ...
By aas711 • 15 years ago

Dealing with Pro-Life friends pt. 2

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for their comments from the previous post. They were very helpful ^.^
Later that night, I ended up apologizing to my friend for calling her ignorant. After all, a small bit of politics isn’t worth friendship. She accepted my apology and further explained that she can’t help how she feels since she is Catholic (an excuse yes, but one I can live with). She went on to say that while she adamantly believes in pro-life, that wasn’t to say she was totally against women’s rights in the church and firmly believes that women should be allowed to be priests.
At that point, even if she wasn’t apologizing, I forgave her. ...

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for their comments from the previous post. They were very helpful ^.^
Later that night, I ended up apologizing to my friend for calling her ignorant. After all, a small ...

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