Above is an image from “I’m Learning to Apologise for My Metabolism,” a proposed photo book on Kickstarter discovered by our friend Lindy West. Now, we all know Hollywood and the media set an unrealistic, unhealthy body standard that few young women can hope to live up to. And you hear a lot about the brave men and women who rightly challenge this standard, risking much in the process. But what about the women who, through no fault of their own, do live up to that standard? Surely they don’t deserve your judgments and pre-conceived notions, just because they happen to be blessed with flat stomachs and supple, unblemished breasts. Society is busy teaching our children that it’s okay to hate the beautiful and that’s just wrong! Britton Delizia’s book aims to shine a spotlight on these, the real victims, hated and disparaged for their timeless beauty.
To be fair, I can’t tell if this is tongue-in-cheek.
Its undeniable that when we stand a skinny, athletic or even average sized female next to a larger (even if less healthy, overweight or obese) female, that unless we live outside of this stigma, we as Americans will assume that the heavier person is funnier, smarter, nicer, and less sexually promiscuous, all because she is not as thin or physically fit than the girl next to her.
Its undeniable that when we stand a skinny, athletic or even average sized female next to a larger (even if less healthy, overweight or obese) female, that unless we live outside of this stigma, we as Americans will assume that the heavier person is funnier, smarter, nicer, and less sexually promiscuous, all because she is not as thin or physically fit than the girl next to her.
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I think this book will probably upset a few people, i think it will be looked at wrong by some people.. But.. if it just makes it into the hands of ONE little girl who feels like she has to be overweight to fit in with the current 70% of the overweight population of America, and it gives her the strength to know that being healthy isnt a bad thing.
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This thing has already taken a life of its own , the insurgence of women who feel they have been put into box where they are allowed to be attacked but are not allowed to defend themselves, where they can be mocked and assaulted for having an ideal size, or for working on their body , but where the inverse is a protected category of people who if you were to repeat to them the inverse ( Girl you look like you need a sandwich VS You should skip a meal) you could be fired , assaulted, or arrested for a hate crime. [source]
You guys, this is going to sound like a strong word, but I’m going to use it anyway: Britton Delizia is a hero. Giving voice to the voiceless. The pinups, the octagon girls, the lowrider magazine models. Would you like to hear more about her? Of course you would.
