The Wolf quote about diet culture as political sedative is devastatingly accurate. Connecting body obsession to civic disengagement isn't abstract theory—I've watched women pour energy into weight-loss cycles that could've gone toward organizing. The "default body" framework reveals how power gets naturalized through aesthetics. When confomity becomes the price of legitimacy, protest itself becomes an act of refusing to shrink.
Great piece, Kristi! Appreciate all the points you raise, and yes, I agree: These AWFUL 😀women are in a real position to challenge the established order. They also hold real voting power.” I am an American living in Spain but no less concerned and frightened for my country. I can’t protest in the streets but I raise the voices of women like you shedding light on the treacherous threshold we face and my money can make a small difference to the organizations on the ground doing the work. I am looking forward to your upcoming interview on women and aging.
Thank you for doing all that you're doing! We need everyone, no matter how far, fighting the good fight here. And thank you for mentioning the upcoming interview. Deb's book really is such a loving, nourishing reminder that our bodies are not a problem that need fixing.
Once I really understood our culture’s body hierarchy (everyone, please check out Sonya Renee Taylor’s work), and was able to untangle myself from it, and I’m sure I’m still working on that, it felt like everything started to make sense. We are all trying to feel safe in an unsafe world. Living in a thinner body and looking younger helps us feel more safe because we are more like the oppressive body ideal! So let’s be easier on ourselves and one another while we’re pushing against these ridiculous body ideals!
Thank you. "Living in a thinner body and looking younger helps us feel more safe because we are more like the oppressive body ideal!" Could not have said this better.
The Wolf quote about diet culture as political sedative is devastatingly accurate. Connecting body obsession to civic disengagement isn't abstract theory—I've watched women pour energy into weight-loss cycles that could've gone toward organizing. The "default body" framework reveals how power gets naturalized through aesthetics. When confomity becomes the price of legitimacy, protest itself becomes an act of refusing to shrink.
YES!! Your last line is so core to this.
Another fantastic piece!
Thank you, A!! 🙏
Great piece, Kristi! Appreciate all the points you raise, and yes, I agree: These AWFUL 😀women are in a real position to challenge the established order. They also hold real voting power.” I am an American living in Spain but no less concerned and frightened for my country. I can’t protest in the streets but I raise the voices of women like you shedding light on the treacherous threshold we face and my money can make a small difference to the organizations on the ground doing the work. I am looking forward to your upcoming interview on women and aging.
Thank you for doing all that you're doing! We need everyone, no matter how far, fighting the good fight here. And thank you for mentioning the upcoming interview. Deb's book really is such a loving, nourishing reminder that our bodies are not a problem that need fixing.
Thanks for mentioning my book! Love this piece!
Once I really understood our culture’s body hierarchy (everyone, please check out Sonya Renee Taylor’s work), and was able to untangle myself from it, and I’m sure I’m still working on that, it felt like everything started to make sense. We are all trying to feel safe in an unsafe world. Living in a thinner body and looking younger helps us feel more safe because we are more like the oppressive body ideal! So let’s be easier on ourselves and one another while we’re pushing against these ridiculous body ideals!
Thank you. "Living in a thinner body and looking younger helps us feel more safe because we are more like the oppressive body ideal!" Could not have said this better.