Bodysnarking has to stop

Imagine my surprise when I'm reading the Wall Street Journal yesterday and come across an editorial about "The Rise of Bodysnarking" praising Jezebel, the Gawker Media-owned women's blog (and one of my favorite blogs) and their attempt stop young women and others from publicly picking apart others' weight/looks (a/k/a "bodysnarking")

The bigger surprise, other than the fact that the WSJ was running a forward-thinking story that's focusing on young women, was that it was written by one of my favorite colleagues, Hannah Seligson, author of  New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches, and a regular Downtown Women's Club contributor.  Way to go Hannah!  Hannah most recently visited with me on my BlogTalkRadio show, Smash the Ladder with Anita & Diane to chat about Career Disasters: planning, proofing and recovering.

But, back to the Bodysnarking.  Here are a few random thoughts to go along with Hannah's article:

I fell in love with the Jezebel site when they exposed how much Redbook photoshopped their cover photo of Faith Hill.  C'mon guys, she's a stunningly beautiful mother over the age of 30, why try to make her look like a 19 year old?  And, let's not forget to give a golf clap to Jamie Lee Curtis for taking the initiative in More magazine in 2002 to show just how photoshopped celebs are.

Jennifer Love Hewitt was my hero last December when she blasted the media for stating that she looked fat in her bikini.  Hewitt, who has modeled for Hanes, stated, "I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image."

As Hannah points out, bodysnarking is not limited to celebrities, and technology may be enhancing this cultural phenomenon.  First, Facebook and Flickr are putting more private photos out into the public domain.  Second, the Internet allows people to comment anonymously, which means that all rules of civility are thrown out the window.  Not a good thing.

Another colleague of mine, Courtney Macavinta has a great website for young women - www.respectRX.com to help combat body and other self-esteem issues.

And, while we're on the topic.  Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters by Courtney E. Martin gives some great insight into what's happening with young women and their friends "Ana" and "Bul".  Click here to read my review of the book.

Kudo's, too, to Tyra Banks & Co. for announcing a size 10 model as America's Next Top Model.  Click here to read Salon's wrap up.

Diane K. Danielson
CEO, www.DowntownWomensClub.com

Comments

[Juli Ford Alhadeff]

Thanks for blogging about this, Diane. I didn't even know there was a name for this but certainly we all know this happens all the time and needs to stop now before another generation of young women grow up hating their bodies.

For the record, I preferred Faith Hill's "before" photo! Maybe because I too am a mom over 30? (Way over!).
Be well and BEAUTIFUL!

[Kate Hutchinson]

Great post. One quite note, the nickname (ugly as it is) for bulimia is "Mia."

After reading Martin's book, I started trying to think about how beautiful the women around me are, instead of making snarky remarks in my head. For example, instead of looking at how much a woman weighs, I'll focus on the gorgeous line of her shoulders.

Another thing I've done is swear of celeb-gawking. I used to read Perez Hilton every day, and I realized I was just perpetuating his snarking--and making him money in ad revenue, to allow him to continue to make mean cutting remarks that continue the cycle. So I don't read his site anymore. Hopefully, if we all quit feeding the trolls, they'll quit making us all feel so bad about ourselves.

[Diane K. Danielson]

Kate - Thanks for the correction. I knew it sounded wrong, but had already given away my copy of the book to a friend whose daughter is having weight issues. aaaaaahhhh. Don't make me give up perez ... But, I guess there is always Jezebel.

Diane