The email conversation: Hey babe, I struggled a bit this morning with our convo. You caught me a bit off guard and left me reeling. I hope you can read this with the love that I’m sending it. There’s a feminist movement called Slut Walk that you may know of that was spurred by a Toronto police officer saying that in order for women to remain safe, “women should avoid dressing like sluts”. Statements like these put the blame on to the women, saying that the way in which they dress makes them (at least, in part) responsible for their attackers actions. This is what’s known as slut shaming and/or victim blaming and there’s an active movement against it because it is so prevalent in society. So when I say (and yes, even 10 year olds and under) should be able to wear what they want, I mean it. It’s the people who attack them that we should be concerned about controlling/addressing, not the ways in which a person (male or female) chooses to represent themselves. The Big Is Beautiful campaign is another one that is sort of wrapped up in female empowerment. I would imagine the statistics around heart disease would actually be heavily related to smoking (like there would be crossover) – but I’m aware obesity can have a lot of associated health risks. My point was, really, that a lot of things are bad for us. However, smokers aren’t made to feel ashamed about their bodies. Drinkers aren’t made to feel ashamed about their bodies. The stigma attached to being fat is overwhelming and massively detrimental to the psyche. It’s important to recognise that people who are fat have a right to love themselves, no matter what shape or size (as opposed to despite shape or size). That’s, in essence, what the Big is Beautiful campaign is all about. If corporations are just trying to sell stuff, I feel like it’s just reflecting a bigger shift in thinking in society which is really positive. I hope all of that is ok to say! And, of course, I’m open to discussion on it Lucy Telford Oh Lucy, I guess there are some things on which we will have to disagree. You are one of the bright lights here at ACMI and I always enjoy chatting and especially seeing the amazing outfits you wear...you have an incredible sense of style, more power to you. See you round. [INITIALS]
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 23:33:19 +0000