A letter from Mohandas Ghandi to Hitler. I do not joke. Hey, those without Google+, can you see this link, or do I need to correct it?
Film review: excellence, excellence at Tiger Beatdown re: American Psycho (the book and film); also, some “Crazy Bitches” from seminal films of my childhood, offered up at Bitch Media. Finally: Tropes vs. Women: The Mystical Pregnancy from Feminist Frequency. #w00t
This Is Not an Onion Parody of How Fox News Would Cover Obama’s Birthday
Weight Stigma – Why it hurts… by Janet Zimmerman
I submit this piece in rebuttal to the many who think self-shaming (and other-shaming) are necessary or productive forces with regard to “health” (meaning, weight/size). The science is in (and has been and continues to support the fact that): weight/size stigma leads to more weight fluctuation, long-term weight gain, disordered eating, and low self-esteem. As a parent and someone who works with and sees a lot of kids on a daily basis – and loves these children deeply (“fat shaming for four year olds”, just the most recent piece in the blogosphere), I – frankly – want the cycle to end.
But, I always have to laugh about studies on social justice issues – because people will continue to believe their bias in the face of any evidence, and I know this. If science doesn’t convince my dear reader, I’d ask you to look deep into your heart and ask if shame and guilt and fighting with ourselves (and others) has ever brought you true, lasting, happy, healthy change – while keeping you present for, caring of, and compassionate towards others.
I’ll wait.
Meanwhile! Make: Indestructible Capri Sun Wallets
Fake logos from the movies! This? Is so incredibly cool. Your favorite?
Reviewed at Bantam Street: The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962). Classic! And one of my first exposures to “MST3K”; I’d love to see “Elvira’s Movie Macabre” version.
Pretty: “Auntie Peggy Has Departed”, an art installation
I was asked what “snorgling” means. Here’s a definition. And here is a tutorial:
The table of contents for the next Life Learning Magazine. I seriously cannot wait, especially for Couture and Swindler’s pieces.
Finally: last night Amber, Jasmine & I were tasked with coming up with band names for Ralph & co, re: his latest music project. Here are some he rejected (probably representing about …. 25% of our silly assery):
Assquatch (also, sadly, already taken and… all kinds of horrible)
Muffintops
Vulva
Grassbacks
Marble Smugglers
Summer’s Eve
Angeltits
Vagzilla
Shit On A Shingle
Pap Schmear
Duck Lips
Snakelight (these latter three were from our gynecological-exam inspirations)
Shart Week*
Showboat Pork N Beans
* Ralph later corrected me: It’s Shart Weak.
Thank you once again for sharing more amazing,hilarious, and thought-provoking stuff from around the web. I look forward to your linkups all week. The Brain that Wouldn’t Die is a great one, and I confess I actually prefer the Elvira commentary to the MST3k version, which is rare indeed.
Also, I so appreciate your words regarding treating people with compassion. FACTS! and SCIENCE! are useful tools in debate, but charged emotions and general inertia always stall real progress and growth. Your message of putting away shame and guilt and urging others to believe their own experience is a simple but powerful message that doesn’t shame the shamers. I like it. I will probably pass it on to others.
*I think I like Shart Week better. Weak is punnier, but I can’t resist the idea of a whole planned week-long event dedicated to the Shart. That one’s gonna stay with me.
“Ghandi’s awesome – he’s everyones friend!” was Eli’s most excellent reaction after I read him the letter – I love that boy!