I frequently find myself writing about the same thing here. It might be shooting myself in the foot to reveal this to you. Obviously I'm always writing something that is vaguely linked to feminism - that's not the pattern. But what repeatedly comes up is body acceptance and how some companies (Dove) try to use it to create positive campaigns that peculiarly end up portraying women as kind of silly. Taryn Brumfitt posted a non traditional 'before and after' image of herself when she had a svelte body builder's figure (before) and of herself naked, with a less toned, softer physique (after) a year or so ago and apparently it took the world by storm - though this is the first time I have ever seen it. Since the worldwide reaction to her picture Brumfitt has decided to record a documentary on body image and her own struggle with self acceptance.
Brumfitt launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the documentary which recently surpassed its original target of $200,000 AUD thanks to celebrity support from Ashton Kutcher, Zooey Deschanel, Ricki Lake et al. Brumfitt was encouraged to make this documentary after receiving mixed reviews over her image: "Many applauded me for my bravery in posting the 'after' shot however, many berated me for promoting obesity. There were others who labelled me a bad role model for my children."
It's kind of weird to me that we might regard posting a flattering, well lit photo nude of yourself as brave just because you don't happen to be sucking it all in the second the camera clicked. On the whole I think we don't, else all my Facebook photo comments in which I'm not wearing sleeves would simply say: "brave".
I'd like to see a documentary that explains why we think it's peculiar to present yourself to The Internet etc as anything less than what Western society currently sees as perfect. Or a documentary on our understanding of 'brave' (also 'awesome' and 'humbled' - have you noticed people have started using 'humbled' when they mean 'honoured'?). Of course the problem is, it probably did take a certain amount of braveness to post that photo, even though my personal review is that Brumfitt looks lovely in both images. Instead of worrying about vocabulary Brumfitt started up the Body Image Movement which helps people love their bodies.
It's kind of weird to me that we might regard posting a flattering, well lit photo nude of yourself as brave just because you don't happen to be sucking it all in the second the camera clicked. On the whole I think we don't, else all my Facebook photo comments in which I'm not wearing sleeves would simply say: "brave".
I'd like to see a documentary that explains why we think it's peculiar to present yourself to The Internet etc as anything less than what Western society currently sees as perfect. Or a documentary on our understanding of 'brave' (also 'awesome' and 'humbled' - have you noticed people have started using 'humbled' when they mean 'honoured'?). Of course the problem is, it probably did take a certain amount of braveness to post that photo, even though my personal review is that Brumfitt looks lovely in both images. Instead of worrying about vocabulary Brumfitt started up the Body Image Movement which helps people love their bodies.
| The documentary Brumfitt is making will focus on her personal journey from a woman who loathed her body to someone who appreciated their body. It will also explore "why body loathing has become a global epidemic". | I don't think it's good...to give the impression every time I look at myself in the mirror a sad Adele track swells in the background. |
The film makers also want to inspire others to embrace their bodies and gain a better body image. From the footage Brumfitt has got in her short promotional film it's clear there's an epidemic of negativity and self deprecation. The film shows women using words such as "gross" and "disgusting" about their seemingly healthy bodies.
Body image is a harder topic to approach than you might think. Because we're trained to self deprecate and not usually encouraged to say 'oh I really like this part of myself' it seems alien to simply think 'good for you!' if someone does love their body. We see far more self hatred than self appreciation and it means there aren't many positive examples. I just don't think it's good for anyone to give the impression every time I look at myself in the mirror a sad Adele track swells in the background.
Which is why Brumfitt's Kickstarter campaign for Embrace is interesting - the more money raised it seems the more diversity they can bring to the documentary, with the possibility of world travel now they have an increased budget.
I'm interested to see if we can finally get the right balance on a body positivity project, using the words of real women instead of putting words in their mouths.
Squeamish Kate
Body image is a harder topic to approach than you might think. Because we're trained to self deprecate and not usually encouraged to say 'oh I really like this part of myself' it seems alien to simply think 'good for you!' if someone does love their body. We see far more self hatred than self appreciation and it means there aren't many positive examples. I just don't think it's good for anyone to give the impression every time I look at myself in the mirror a sad Adele track swells in the background.
Which is why Brumfitt's Kickstarter campaign for Embrace is interesting - the more money raised it seems the more diversity they can bring to the documentary, with the possibility of world travel now they have an increased budget.
I'm interested to see if we can finally get the right balance on a body positivity project, using the words of real women instead of putting words in their mouths.
Squeamish Kate
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