Slideshow featuring 'Embarrassing Beauty Questions'
I was looking up something medical related on this site when I saw this in one of the adverts. It's depressing that 'beauty' issues are considered medical. Reading through the article I was dismayed to see how often botox or surgery were referred to as 'answers' to these supposed problems. Because growing old naturally is obviously a terrible health issue!!
Sunday 24 April 2011
Thursday 21 April 2011
Sunday 17 April 2011
Saturday 16 April 2011
A funny rant? Or something more telling.
Here's a link to a column by David Mitchell today. Although seemingly light hearted, the way in which he talks about what women have to do in regards to 'beauty' seems to me to support how normalised it really is. Furthermore, the article highlights 1) that making us equal by preying on men's self consciousness is not the way forward and 2) how the idea women and their beauty regimens is actually something many men probably find quite amusing, not to mention down right ridiculous if it were applied to men.
And, it's a fun read :)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/17/david-mitchell-men-beauty-products
And, it's a fun read :)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/17/david-mitchell-men-beauty-products
Wishing to be bigger. Asking permission...and general ranting.
More and more I am wishing I could do something bigger, better, more influential. The desire to fight the tide of negative body image, and thus inequality is, at times, almost too much to handle. It feels good to be trying to do something, however small, but the reality is I want to grow.
Having been angry at advertisements and the media in general for over a decade it is always satisfying, and reassuring to hear others speaking along your lines. One person, not female, that often ignites a real feeling of 'why not?' is Banksy; the graffitti artist.
One of his quotes from his book "Wall and Piece" says:
"Any advertisement in public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours. It belongs to you. It's yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head."
I love it! Somewhere he writes a somewhat longer rant along the same lines. When I first read it I felt like just shouting "YES! At last!" However, I kept my mouth shut as firmly as possible in respect of the eardrums of those around me. But still, I was infused with joy and a drive to get my own back...Finally someone was talking sense.
There are so many ideas bubbling around inside my mind for ways to highlight the visual onslaught the media throws at us. I just need a few things to put it into practice. Like: stencils, posters, paint and....guts!
I have messed around with a few images I found on the internet, but am aware that posting them would be a copyright issue. So what do I do? I stumble around this little problem often, wondering if I can get people to re-enact certain poses and hire photographers to take the necessary photos. Of course, that would take a lot of stuff I don't have, like contacts and money. All the while Banksy's philosophy and his words flit around my mind. Why do I have to get permission? Who asked me whether they could force feed pornographic images into my mind on a daily basis? What's that? I have a choice? I don't think so. Believe me, I've tried. Being a reclusive, anti-social, bedroom-dweller doesn't bode well. And how is that freedom anyway?
So, on a more hopeful note, I am asking for ideas from the likes of you lot. If nothing else, for the moment, it would be great to get those creative juices flowing and spend some time creating posters, and other arty bits, that promote this cause. The funnier, smarter the better. We want them to be remembered. How often do feminists get laughed at because of smart-arsed quips. Let's show them we've got a sense of humour too!
Having been angry at advertisements and the media in general for over a decade it is always satisfying, and reassuring to hear others speaking along your lines. One person, not female, that often ignites a real feeling of 'why not?' is Banksy; the graffitti artist.
One of his quotes from his book "Wall and Piece" says:
"Any advertisement in public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours. It belongs to you. It's yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head."
I love it! Somewhere he writes a somewhat longer rant along the same lines. When I first read it I felt like just shouting "YES! At last!" However, I kept my mouth shut as firmly as possible in respect of the eardrums of those around me. But still, I was infused with joy and a drive to get my own back...Finally someone was talking sense.
There are so many ideas bubbling around inside my mind for ways to highlight the visual onslaught the media throws at us. I just need a few things to put it into practice. Like: stencils, posters, paint and....guts!
I have messed around with a few images I found on the internet, but am aware that posting them would be a copyright issue. So what do I do? I stumble around this little problem often, wondering if I can get people to re-enact certain poses and hire photographers to take the necessary photos. Of course, that would take a lot of stuff I don't have, like contacts and money. All the while Banksy's philosophy and his words flit around my mind. Why do I have to get permission? Who asked me whether they could force feed pornographic images into my mind on a daily basis? What's that? I have a choice? I don't think so. Believe me, I've tried. Being a reclusive, anti-social, bedroom-dweller doesn't bode well. And how is that freedom anyway?
So, on a more hopeful note, I am asking for ideas from the likes of you lot. If nothing else, for the moment, it would be great to get those creative juices flowing and spend some time creating posters, and other arty bits, that promote this cause. The funnier, smarter the better. We want them to be remembered. How often do feminists get laughed at because of smart-arsed quips. Let's show them we've got a sense of humour too!
Ffyona Campbell
I remember watching a BBC TV series on this woman when I was about ten (I didn't remember the age, but thanks to some research I figured that part out!), but even at the time I remember being bloody impressed. That was without knowing of the true depth of her feats.
Ffyona Campbell Wikipedia biography
A fun Facebook appreciation page for Ffyona
Ffyona Campbell Wikipedia biography
A fun Facebook appreciation page for Ffyona
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