2008 Woodie Awards
From the Editor
Sally Cramer
Issue date: 1/25/05 Section: Forum
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Maybe it?s the fact that I don?t have to read the news for my political communication class anymore. Maybe it?s my lingering disenchantment with the results of the election. Maybe I am becoming a victim of the American materialistic machine, trading in my knowledge for shopping trips and apathy. I?m not happy with who I?ve become. So why have I become this way?
Every time I come back to school, whether it?s from summer or winter vacation, I feel like I have to lose weight. I?m not sure why this happens either.
It could be because I am leaving the family and friend support systems that enable me to feel good about myself. The question should be, "Why do I not have a support system like that here at school?" And I am even one of those feminists who proclaim that we should subvert the ideal, and love our bodies as long as we are healthy and happy with ourselves: we should not think we have to look like the women and men in the magazines and on TV.
This battle is something that I?m sure I am not the only one facing. What am I doing to overcome this battle? Good question.
I?m still working on it. I tell myself every day that I don?t have to lose weight, that those women in the media are drastically thin and I don?t want to look like that. Of course it is psychological. I want to control what I eat, but why do I want to eat less? I was always a strong woman. Why I am not winning this battle is a mystery.
No matter if one is heterosexual or not, male or female or gender-queer, eating disorders can affect anyone. I know of a lesbian couple who has contests to see who can lose the most weight. Why is this happening in our society? I?ve always heard of a long time ago when being heavier was thought to be more beautiful, and a status of wealth and well-being. Today, being skinny is the status of managing your time, going to the gym, being in shape, managing what you eat, and looking attractive according to our society?s contemporary standards.
Every time I come back to school, whether it?s from summer or winter vacation, I feel like I have to lose weight. I?m not sure why this happens either.
It could be because I am leaving the family and friend support systems that enable me to feel good about myself. The question should be, "Why do I not have a support system like that here at school?" And I am even one of those feminists who proclaim that we should subvert the ideal, and love our bodies as long as we are healthy and happy with ourselves: we should not think we have to look like the women and men in the magazines and on TV.
This battle is something that I?m sure I am not the only one facing. What am I doing to overcome this battle? Good question.
I?m still working on it. I tell myself every day that I don?t have to lose weight, that those women in the media are drastically thin and I don?t want to look like that. Of course it is psychological. I want to control what I eat, but why do I want to eat less? I was always a strong woman. Why I am not winning this battle is a mystery.
No matter if one is heterosexual or not, male or female or gender-queer, eating disorders can affect anyone. I know of a lesbian couple who has contests to see who can lose the most weight. Why is this happening in our society? I?ve always heard of a long time ago when being heavier was thought to be more beautiful, and a status of wealth and well-being. Today, being skinny is the status of managing your time, going to the gym, being in shape, managing what you eat, and looking attractive according to our society?s contemporary standards.
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