Web site creates forum for self-loathing, hatred
Emily Smith, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Opinion
As a young child, when my mother dropped me off for school,
the last thing she would always say to me before I
got out of the car was, "Remember who you are."
I didn't know the significance of her words at my young age,
but as I grew up, I came to understand she was more concerned with building my character than my confidence. That is not to say I had many self-confidence issues. But it makes me think
about the gobs of students I know - male and female- who have negative body images. I couldn't help but wonder what makes us feel the way we do.
While paying my daily visit to Myspace, I came across an answer in the form of a Web site called www. fading-obsession.com. The site promotes and supports the eating disorders Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. Promotion of the diseases is an understatement.
The site is packed with tips on starving, binging and purging. It has poems, songs, low-calorie recipes, psalms, prayers and even Ten Commandments. One link, called "thinspiration," is a cluster of photo galleries devoted to excruciatingly thin models and halfstarved women.
People who join the site receive an e-mail, based on their choice to declare Anorexia or Bulimia, from "Ana" or "Mia" the personified characters representing each.
The Web site calls itself a "support group," but it better resembles a cult, encouraging members to wear different color bracelets - red for Ana's and purple for Mia's - so they may recognize one another in public.
I understand how self-confidence starved individuals are attracted by such a site. It thrives on the insecure and lonely feelings of the individual and presents a false sense of community.
I can't imagine that someone could believe in the success of promoting such deadly diseases with the expectation of self-destructive behavior becoming socially acceptable.
Then again, not everyone was blessed with a mom like mine.
I have had many moments when I have lacked confidence. I have often scoffed at sayings such as, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and "Beauty is only skin deep." The difference is made in understanding we are all products of our creator.
I have flaws, yes.
My Christmas list of body parts grows each year. I want smaller thighs and arms, a larger bust, greener eyes and curly hair. But no matter what, I know I have the love of Christ, and I have the knowledge that he made me just the way I am for a reason.
I can accept myself only because of him. After seeing the Web site, I've started to build up the people I meet. Everyone should know the amazing God-given qualities we all possess, and it
may just convince someone to get help for an eating disorder or other body image issues.
God's fingerprints are all over us. We just have to remember who we are.
E-mail Smith at: eds04c@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
the last thing she would always say to me before I
got out of the car was, "Remember who you are."
I didn't know the significance of her words at my young age,
but as I grew up, I came to understand she was more concerned with building my character than my confidence. That is not to say I had many self-confidence issues. But it makes me think
about the gobs of students I know - male and female- who have negative body images. I couldn't help but wonder what makes us feel the way we do.
While paying my daily visit to Myspace, I came across an answer in the form of a Web site called www. fading-obsession.com. The site promotes and supports the eating disorders Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa. Promotion of the diseases is an understatement.
The site is packed with tips on starving, binging and purging. It has poems, songs, low-calorie recipes, psalms, prayers and even Ten Commandments. One link, called "thinspiration," is a cluster of photo galleries devoted to excruciatingly thin models and halfstarved women.
People who join the site receive an e-mail, based on their choice to declare Anorexia or Bulimia, from "Ana" or "Mia" the personified characters representing each.
The Web site calls itself a "support group," but it better resembles a cult, encouraging members to wear different color bracelets - red for Ana's and purple for Mia's - so they may recognize one another in public.
I understand how self-confidence starved individuals are attracted by such a site. It thrives on the insecure and lonely feelings of the individual and presents a false sense of community.
I can't imagine that someone could believe in the success of promoting such deadly diseases with the expectation of self-destructive behavior becoming socially acceptable.
Then again, not everyone was blessed with a mom like mine.
I have had many moments when I have lacked confidence. I have often scoffed at sayings such as, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and "Beauty is only skin deep." The difference is made in understanding we are all products of our creator.
I have flaws, yes.
My Christmas list of body parts grows each year. I want smaller thighs and arms, a larger bust, greener eyes and curly hair. But no matter what, I know I have the love of Christ, and I have the knowledge that he made me just the way I am for a reason.
I can accept myself only because of him. After seeing the Web site, I've started to build up the people I meet. Everyone should know the amazing God-given qualities we all possess, and it
may just convince someone to get help for an eating disorder or other body image issues.
God's fingerprints are all over us. We just have to remember who we are.
E-mail Smith at: eds04c@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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