So...this new show "Drop Dead Diva" is supposed to be all about "fat tolerance," right? Well, friends, in reality, it is: 1) just dreadful and offensive, 2) completely ridiculous if it's trying to represent "real life"/make some kind of point about "fat discrimination" (the whole flipping show is discriminatory itself!), and 3) a total disappointment when it comes to Margaret Cho (I expected better from her!!!)... The whole show just comes off as cliche after cliche, stereotype after stereotype. BLAH, changing the channel, moving on.
I can't wait to see that new show "More to Love" by the producers of The Bachelor. (Actually, I can't wait to rip it to shreds- I'm already irritated about it.) Can you believe they ACTUALLY had the gall on the preview advertisements to say that the curvy women on "More to Love" are "real women," implying that, if you're a size 2 or 4 (or whatever), you aren't a "real woman"?! Ugh, I'm just so tired of a society that is so body-focussed. WHO CARES? Why not just enjoy people for their conversation and the fun you have with them?
It's just all such a bore; I used to be into shows like that (eg, "The Biggest Loser"), but now, I'm at the point where I ask: "Oh my gosh, MOREEEE of this?" And of course, the latter example just irks the he__ outta me, because I've read first-hand accounts that contestants have written, detailing how they descended into EXTREMELY disordered behaviours (restricting, over-exercising, purposely dehydrating themselves, etc), just to "make weight" and win all that cash. It's like, what started as a want to become healthier turns quickly into a competition just to see who can kill themselves faster. It disgusts me that the rest of the world sees this, and then, feeling ashamed and guilty, a watcher (or 2, or 3, or million!) thinks they have to lose the weight just like the contestants on the show. What they don't see is all of those terrifying, life-threatening measures the competitors take just to drop the weight, week after week. Nor does the audience remember that these people are away from home (hence, the "average stressors" of a job, school, kids, spouse, friends, family, etc), have dietitians/chefs giving them "healthy" portions, and personal trainers to push them to keep going. (I compare this sort of environment to what we go through while in treatment- we're in a "bubble," so to speak, so even if we are doing everything right while there, things could easily change when we get back home...and "REAL LIFE.") So, of course, someone who watches "The Biggest Loser" will be disappointed and frustrated that they aren't losing weight (or losing quickly enough, losing enough weight period, lack of dedication, etc) to the show's specifications.
And that's just a tiny piece of the puzzle- I cannot STAND the way the trainers treat their clients! Screaming at them, yelling curses and insults, re-enforcing weight loss (not effort) with compliments, and not promoting healthy body image/beliefs. It's all just a game, media exposure, a job, and lots of money for those trainers (Jillian Michaels, Inc., ESPECIALLY!). Whew, that was a lot to get off my non-existent chest.
16 July 2009
Whistles and Cat Calls.
First of all, let me premise this by saying that I am in no way saying that all men are like this, nor am I blaming the entire male gender. I know that the specimens below are just extraordinarily rude and disrespectful examples, who just so happen to be part of the "rugged sex." Also, please excuse my rant, and if you can offer any advice, wise words, or even a passionate retort...please please please- feel free to send an e-mail (no matter what your gender is)!
Where I live, I do a lot of road running. I try to stick to running away from the busy roads, but sometimes, it's unavoidable. Also, it gets hot here- REALLY HOT. Today, we'll hit 105 degrees by noon. So, I typically stick to a modest sports bra (good coverage, minimal bouncing, etc) and tight Lycra shorts (don't like the flappy, wind-up-your-shorts bottoms). This leaves my stomach, legs, and arms exposed. When I run (or walk, of late, as I've been having arch/knee problems), I enjoy putting my headphones on and jamming to some good beats. I always take care to carefully observe my surroundings, however, and keep the music at a volume where I can still hear what's going on around me.
Alright, now that I've explained all that: WHY is it that I should have to put up with getting: honked at, yelled at from idiots hanging out their windows, whistled at, and even cat-called? I mean, one time, I was even startled by some hooligans pumping their hydrolics in their stupid modified/lowered truck! (Later that day, I went for a slow jog in my neighbourhood, and some dorkus drove by slowly, his window rolled down, and when he saw me, he gave me this really patronising face and flashed two thumbs up at me, while exaggeratedly mouthing "GOOD JOB." /eyebrow raise)
My husband argues that it's to be expected in society and he understands why guys do it, because it's "an uncivilised man's way of pursuing a woman" (I think that's pretty much what he said, in fewer words). At first, I was really ticked off that he'd basically condone it (and, as I perceived, was saying that it'd be okay if he did it himself). He clarified and said that he didn't think it was right, but understood it.
This was my thought of the issue: Why should I just have to put up with the taunting and jeers? Why should I have to just say: "Oh well, boys will be boys!"? Not only that, but if a "man" were truly using cat-calling as a "way of pursuing a woman"... how does that even work? Obviously, it has nothing to do with trying to impress me or get to know me, because they speed away after startling the living he__ outta me! I just can't accept or justify my husband's logic.
Come on! My heart rate is already pumping when I'm running, so I certainly do NOT need it to be sped up even more by being startled or scared silly by some immature jerks! (One time, some idiots randomly honked at me, causing me to jump, then stumble, and almost fall face-down in the dirt! The nerve!) Not to mention, I've now had to start wearing more clothing, despite sweat pouring into cracks and crevices it should never go, because I don't want to attract any more attention than I already do by just running/walking. Lately, I've even started to feel nervous or paranoid to go running by myself (the only way I can run, since I don't have any friends that will go with me, and my hubby hates any other sport besides wakeboarding). I don't want to be worried or scared about leaving my house to walk in my own neighbourhood!
So, in closing, my question is this: Why are these actions considered appropriate or "okay"? And what more can I do to help prevent this (or do I just have to somehow "deal with it")?!
Where I live, I do a lot of road running. I try to stick to running away from the busy roads, but sometimes, it's unavoidable. Also, it gets hot here- REALLY HOT. Today, we'll hit 105 degrees by noon. So, I typically stick to a modest sports bra (good coverage, minimal bouncing, etc) and tight Lycra shorts (don't like the flappy, wind-up-your-shorts bottoms). This leaves my stomach, legs, and arms exposed. When I run (or walk, of late, as I've been having arch/knee problems), I enjoy putting my headphones on and jamming to some good beats. I always take care to carefully observe my surroundings, however, and keep the music at a volume where I can still hear what's going on around me.
Alright, now that I've explained all that: WHY is it that I should have to put up with getting: honked at, yelled at from idiots hanging out their windows, whistled at, and even cat-called? I mean, one time, I was even startled by some hooligans pumping their hydrolics in their stupid modified/lowered truck! (Later that day, I went for a slow jog in my neighbourhood, and some dorkus drove by slowly, his window rolled down, and when he saw me, he gave me this really patronising face and flashed two thumbs up at me, while exaggeratedly mouthing "GOOD JOB." /eyebrow raise)
My husband argues that it's to be expected in society and he understands why guys do it, because it's "an uncivilised man's way of pursuing a woman" (I think that's pretty much what he said, in fewer words). At first, I was really ticked off that he'd basically condone it (and, as I perceived, was saying that it'd be okay if he did it himself). He clarified and said that he didn't think it was right, but understood it.
This was my thought of the issue: Why should I just have to put up with the taunting and jeers? Why should I have to just say: "Oh well, boys will be boys!"? Not only that, but if a "man" were truly using cat-calling as a "way of pursuing a woman"... how does that even work? Obviously, it has nothing to do with trying to impress me or get to know me, because they speed away after startling the living he__ outta me! I just can't accept or justify my husband's logic.
Come on! My heart rate is already pumping when I'm running, so I certainly do NOT need it to be sped up even more by being startled or scared silly by some immature jerks! (One time, some idiots randomly honked at me, causing me to jump, then stumble, and almost fall face-down in the dirt! The nerve!) Not to mention, I've now had to start wearing more clothing, despite sweat pouring into cracks and crevices it should never go, because I don't want to attract any more attention than I already do by just running/walking. Lately, I've even started to feel nervous or paranoid to go running by myself (the only way I can run, since I don't have any friends that will go with me, and my hubby hates any other sport besides wakeboarding). I don't want to be worried or scared about leaving my house to walk in my own neighbourhood!
So, in closing, my question is this: Why are these actions considered appropriate or "okay"? And what more can I do to help prevent this (or do I just have to somehow "deal with it")?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
