This post is very simple. Go to the link listed (click on this post's title) and read it. You should all know that the adolescent girl psyche is a big issue for me... and I couldn't agree with this article more if I tried.
Two paychecks away.
Statistically, most Americans are only two paychecks away from being below the poverty line.
What a sobering thought, that so many soccer moms, so many hard-working people, so many people who look down on others who are really no different than they, so many.
Before I begin this post, I have to share another song that always gets to me - "The Highwayman" sung by Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash... among others whose names don't pop into my head. Actually, now that I think of it, the same title by Loreena McKennitt is also fantastic, although hers is entirely different, based off of the poem by Alfred Noyes. Lol, and that reminds me of so many other great Loreena McKennitt songs, especially "The Lady of Shalott" based off Tennyson's poem. I always have to make sure I have some tissue around for these songs... I'm such a softy.
Anyhoo, to the point of this blog - redefining beauty. One of my passions (beside teaching and racial issues) is the adolescent female pysche. Of course, a huge factor in our society for girls is beauty and all that can entail. I've been thinking lately about the Dove "real beauty" campaigns and similarly how Oprah promotes a "love your own unique beauty" philosphy openly on her show. Now, I'll be the first to chime in that this campaign is leaps and bounds better than what is promoted everywhere else in the media. And yet... it's not good enough. I wonder if Oprah realizes that when she thinks she is doing good - let's say, by showing certain styles of clothing that compliment all figures, that she's really saying something to the effect of, "If you're not the ideal model of thin, you can cleverly hide it by wearing layers" or "If you're not the ideal model of height, you can mask it by wearing these jeans". Same goes for her beauty makeovers - she isn't celebrating unique beauty but instead showing how to "make do with what you've got".
I adore the Dove campaign! No hiding behind layers and sliming trends, for example. Horray for the beauty that is skin! Horray for motherly hips and thigh! And yet... all of the models are what traditional beauty would describe as "beautiful if only they would loose weight". They all have evenly distributed weight, (no pooches or anything of that nature), flawless skin, etc. I'm being extra critical, I know... but I think about it.
And now I must go bawl out my eyes to "The Highwayman" (McKennitt version).
Here are a few things that have caught my attention today:
While driving home fromt he mall tonight, we pulled up to a stoplight across from a SUV packed with adolescent males jamming out to Beethoven's 5th symphony. Now, you've got to admit - it makes sense.
Aaron and I walked into the Wolfchase mall not wanting to buy a thing; we just needed something to do. We walked out of the Wolfchase mall, having stoically purchased nothing, (NOTHING!) with a to-buy list a mile long. Although we did not realize it an hour and a half earlier, we were soon painfully aware that we needed 2 pairs of earrings, one bracelet (I swear, I NEED these items), a handful of books (again, NEED), two SLVR phones from Cingular, Gradia III, Kingdom Hearts II, and Final Fantasy XII. We desperately need these things, people, NEED! Don't you just love this commercialist, materialistic, buying-stuff-makes-you-happy-and-fills-your-emotional-voids society? Shop till ya drop, everybody!
A guy's hotness points instantly rise about 2 points when carrying a small child. Instantly. And if you can tell that they are good with children, 5 points. A 5 point eh-just-average guy automatically becomes a 10 point I-want-to-marry-you-and-have-your-baby guy.
Hellur! I adore Madea. Aaron and I loved Diary of a Mad Black Woman, so we went to see Madea's Family Reunion tonight. Madea is the funnist shiznit. Parts of the movie were slow, and most of the plot seemed like a remake of Diary, but even with all that, it was worth it just for the parts with Madea. One part especially was fantastic - 96 y/o grandmother, with the aid of 60-something matriarchs, takes a walk through the family reunion. Along the way they see a group of boys gambling dice, fighting and cussing and a group of girls provocatively dressed and dancing like the/ve got a pole while boys sit and watch. Saddened by this new generation, the gather the entire clan and give a moving speech, essentially saying that young men and women need to remember their roots and their own value, to be people of value. *sigh* ... I can't do the speech justice; it was poetical and profound and something that I wish every young person would take to heart. I'm eager for the day when I can show that clip to a classroom and let them discuss it and make it their own.
"Puff the Magic Dragon" is a beautiful song... but depressing also. It hasn't failed to make me cry yet. Also on that list is "Baby Mine" from Dumbo.
This rant is dedicated to two guys, can you guess? Chris and Berry.
To Berry - Poor guy had his appendix removed just yesterday. Get better soon!
To Chris - Feel free to rant and vent whenever you want - Aaron and I are always here for you!
Posts
All Comments
