January 27, 2012
The Marilyn Meme

Excuse me for beating a dead horse, but I think this message bears repeating (yet again): “I want very much for us to stop thinking that there is only one body type that is acceptable.”

by Heather Comarty (orignally posted at Shameless) (emphasis added)

For some reason, though, this photo troubles and angers me more than the first one does. Because here’s the thing: you are worth more than what men think of you. Marilyn Monroe was, to put it mildly, very sad, very often. She was a sex symbol, and thus, stopped existing as human being, a regular girl. […] Being “adored by thousands of men” didn’t stop her demons from consuming her. It angers me to no end that, again, in the name of self-esteem we’re going to make a poster girl (literally) out of a woman who was notoriously down on herself.

I want very much for us to stop thinking that there is only one body type that is acceptable. I would prefer the focus be on health, rather than appearance. The Monroe Meme seems about the furthest thing from healthy. This is a woman who abused alcohol and sleeping pills later in her life, this is a woman who (probably) died due to depression. But, hey, as long as someone thinks she looks good, I guess that’s what matters.

Click through to read the entire article.

(Source: )

11:00am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZSjwPyFSJ0YL
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: marilyn monroe meme sociological images sociology 
December 19, 2011
But what if I want to be am rugged too?

But what if I want to be am rugged too?

2:20pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZSjwPyDUGngU
(Notes: 13)
  
Filed under: gear sociological images sociology stereotypes gender 
October 26, 2011
Laughing at Disability: Diabetes and Mental Disability on "Always Sunny"

Mental disability, as a largely ascribed status, serves as a less-viable source of humor. That is, laughing at someone who is born a particular way, or gains that status for reasons beyond their control, violates our precepts of political correctness. However, being overweight is often interpreted as caused by a personal character flaw (laziness, gluttony, etc.) and therefore an achieved status. Laughing at fat people, then, is not only socially acceptable, but often encouraged in American comedy.

This highlights the centrality of individualism and personal responsibility in American society. We hold the obese and the overweight accountable for their corporeal deviations. We tend to believe that those who are overweight (and those who contract Type 2 Diabetes) are responsible for their conditions. It then becomes socially acceptable to mock them.

Just some interesting food for thought. Click through for the full article comparing the “comedic value” of having a mental disability versus being overweight and having diabetes.

3:32pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZSjwPyB8lljm
(Notes: 7)
  
Filed under: sociological images sociology comedy Always Sunny in Philadelphia 
April 6, 2011
The Deconstruction of Indulgence

Growing up in America, we learn that sweets and junk food are “guilty pleasures.” Women, especially, are supposed to refrain from such indulgences.  And, if they cannot — if they, for example, desire more than that modest slice of cake served to each birthday guest — then they should feel not only guilt, but shame.  For overindulging is grotesque and it, accordingly, should be hidden and kept secret.

This is the cultural background to Lee Price‘s realist paintings of women (mostly her) eating sweets and junk food.  She draws two contrasts.  First, she makes very public something we are supposed to do only in private.  Not only do the paintings literally display the transgression, the birds eye view and frequent nudity exaggerates the sheer display of the indulgence.  And, second, she takes something that is supposedly disgusting and shameful and presents it in a medium associated with (high) art, challenging the association of indulgence with poor character and a lack of refinement.  Fascinating.

I love when art really makes you think. (I also love this blog and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Sociology.)

Edit: If you click through, beware, some images are NSFW.

2:07pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZSjwPy45vi02
(Notes: 11)
  
Filed under: lee price sociological images art indulgance sociology women