Edited by author 02-18-2004 11:22 AM
Minding the Body and Body's Outlaws provide a refreshing alternative in looking at the body and the real implications that arise from these concerns. "My Jewish Nose" was one of my favorite essays from this reading, becuase it demonstrates how closely related each individual's body is realted to who they are culturally. There are many physical features that are attributed to specific ethnic groups, but yet all men and women across all groups suffer from many of the same body image dillemmas. I have a few Jewish friends (male and female) who comment on their Jewish nose jokingly and seriously. Most of their noses are fine, but either because of socialization or their altered perception (due to wrongful societal standards) of what they see in the mirror, they feel that their noses are something to be ashamed of. It is funny to think that a nose could be Jewish, American, or Latino/a, etc, and that it could have so much power. A nose seems like a disappearing feature on someone's face. No one really comments on how good someone's nose is, but if it is odd shapped- it then becomes the focal point of the face. And I guess it is a real concern, considering the frequent amount of nose jobs that are performed today. Now that I think about it- my nose was always referred to as the "Miss Piggy" nose when I was growing up. I liked Miss Piggy, so I didn't think much about it. But I guess it could have been potentially damaging, if I let it be. This essay was amusing, but it definitely gives an inlet in what other groups think about when it comes to their body image.

I also enjoyed the readings. “Keeping Them Implanted and Ignorant” was the one that I wrote about in my journal. I was reading VIBE magazine the other day and saw an article about the growing trends of cosmetic surgery but it keeps changing faces. Now there is a butt implant surgery where they take unwanted fat from somewhere on your body and put in your rear. The description of this was totally disgusting( I’ll have to bring it to class for you guys to see). Anyway, the part in the reading that made me think was when she was talking about how the plastic surgery industry practically preys on women who have nursed. Before having children, I used to think women who chose to get implants were crazy people with low self-esteem. Now I am more convinced that most women have thought “what if” at least once. I can’t really fault the women who used to have certain things (like perky breast) and by no fault of their own have lost them. I admit having thought about it, especially after my body has changed in undesirable ways. Although I would never get work done, I don’t believe it is my place to look down on people who do. Judging people for their beauty choices is what gives “the beast” fuel in the first place.

Edited by author 02-17-2004 07:32 PM
I, too, am in agreement with the general consensus of first of all- Pink THink is done with and 2nd- that we can return to these short and entertaining stories. Although the stories in MTB are all very well written and enjoyable to read, I am just ling Body Outlaws more. Maybe it's not so heavy and somber, and it is written by women closer to my generation. THis is not to say that MTb is in any way WORSE (there are authors in this book that i respect and admire), i think BO is just a bit more fun. The Klaus Barbie story cracked me up. and I agree with Whitney that Beauty Secrets really resonated with me. I love these short stories and although i am looking forward to reading Vagina Monologues, these stories are a nice break in the monotony.

I, like most everyone else, am glad to return to these short narratives of womens different and similar accounts. The one that I found most interesting was in BODY OUTLAWS and it was called, "Beauty Secrets". I think I was so impressed because I know how she feels about not having the body she wanted. But what really go tme was that she was able to get beyond that and now accepts and loves herself for who she is. I also was impressed by the tattoo on her neck of Medusa and how it changed over the years with the change in thought about herself. I am excited to be returning to these books, and happy to be done with PINK THINK!

I must say that I have to agree with Kristen that I am glad we are returning to these two textbooks filled with stories that I feel really get the strong content of this class. Basically what I wrote in my journal for these readings was regarding "Fighting the Natural," and how I felt it did an excellent job explaining life transformation in terms of something as simple as hair dye. I also emhasized in my journal writing that although this article seems fresh and open to new changes in life the person writing it seems to be willing enough to embrace new lives with each box of hair dye but does not seem to embrace her own contentment. In other words, the writer is quick to wash away the imperfections, "the gunk" but is not so quick to work through and learn from those perfections. Thus, she still remains in a state of flux, transitioning from one hair color to the next and in turn one type of life to the next.

I was really glad to get back to these two books and enjoyed the readings. It had been a tough weekend for me and I'm not sure that the readings actually sunk in. Though I did want to make a quick post about them, the story that stuck out the most to me was "Beauty Secrets." I think that the story was very interesting and I loved how she talked about her tattoo. I have tried to explain the importance that tattoos can have for people to my family and I always seem to get the same answer of how can you be sure that the tattoo will have the same meaning for you in the years to come. But I think the essay showed how important it is for growth and personal expression to truly come to an understanding of who you are and how your own body image impacts life around you.

quick addition to my posting--I closed with what I perceived Jervis' father's message to be (not Jervis'). Jervis, herself, ends with a statement in which she embraces her cultural identity and refuses to be swayed into cultural conformity.

*Just wanted to make sure that you knew that I wasn't misrepresenting the text!

While completing the reading for class, I was sort of dumbfounded by the content of "My Jewish Nose." I had never realized that there was such pressure for so many other cultures to eliminate/extinguish their ethnic uniqueness to conform to the WASP standard of beauty. I was also amazed by the amount of pressure put upon the author, Lisa Jervis, by family and other sources to surgically alter her appearance. No wonder women's self- worth is often devastatingly entangled with their body image; Jervis' own father essentially tells her that without plastic surgery, he would never have been interested in Jervis' mother. (The ramifications of the nose "knows" no boundaries!) She states: "Even my father is a believer. He says that without my my mother's nose job, my sister and I wouldn't exist, because he never would have gone out with Mom" (63). The message here is clear: if you do not adhere to these standards of beauty, you will not be able to live a fulfilled life and will possibly alienate yourself from potential spouses. Agggggggh!

I really enjoyed the readings for today. Although I was generally pleased with Pink Think, the transition back to these books was a positive one. I was particularly disturbed by the article "keep them implanted and ignorant". I really think that society does not put enough emphasis on the growing problem that has become cosmetic surgery.

I enjoyed the readings today. It was a nice switch from "Pink Think." However the one thing that set me off was in "Breaking the Model," where the author went as a 13 year old to modeling classes and was told she was too heavy at a size seven. I absolutely could not believe anyone in their right mind would tell a 13 year old they are fat!!! Who does that? No wonder the poor girl developed an eating disorder! I was so mad. I was completely flabbergasted at that point. I thank my lucky stars every day that I had positive female role models around me while I went through the tumultuous teenage years. They are hard enough without the pressures of someone telling me how fat I am when I'm barely a woman. I wish this author's mother could have put things in perspective for her. And whoever that agent was that told her she was fat should be kicked in the shins.

I could really identify with the readings. As I have said a time or so in class self-image has always been a battle for me. When reading (and in class) I get a little self-assurance.
Also, I am still in need of a group to enter for our Pink Think Project. Any vacancies that I can fill???

Edited by author 02-16-2004 09:59 AM
"Beauty Secrets" spoke of issues such as wanting to grow up too quickly, self image, and, my favorite, the beauty of ugly. But I particularly enjoyed one small section due to its contradiction of "Pink Think". It was early in the story when she mentioned that the she was unclear of her "misguided aspirations" to want to be a beautiful woman as opposed to her mother, whom I'm sure encouraged her to be beautiful, who leaned toward being more of an independent woman. This was miles away from the "Pink Think" attitude pressed upon by mothers and the mainstream society to stay at home and let the man support the family. Instead, her mother enouraged her to be independent and bought her a stethoscope when the young girl spoke of only boys being doctors. I also liked the part where she mentioned the beauty of ugly,referring to her tattoo, and how we transform ugliness into beauty. This story was a nice break from "thinking pink".