Article from Salon.com

Halloo all,

This really interesting article appeared in my inbox, and I thought it was too interesting to not share

http://mobile.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/09/15/crystal_renn/

Good news for Healthy Modeling

Halloo All!

I was recently alerted about a neat event happening this September to promote Healthy Modelling: the “Fashion For Every Body” event taking place in Tenessee.

Currently, they’re looking for “Healthy Role Models”: I encourage everyone who can to check it out and try going!

http://www.edct.net/contentpage.aspx?webpageid=13382&groupid=-1

Re: Presidency Change

Halloo everyone,

A few weeks ago you might have read the blog post about how the HMC has a new president. I thought I might introduce myself, and I’m hoping you will all introduce yourselves in the comment section so we can better work together to bring some positive change into the world

Ah. I should warn you this post might take awhile to read. (Not because I’m going to take forever to talk about that one time in third grade when I fell down ice-skating, but on account of the stuff I wrote after the introduction.)

My name is Kathleen Richter, although sometimes I go by “Kat,” “Frog,” “Hey You,” “Spiggot,” “Bummy rat”…although I admit the last four options there are mainly names my brother has called me when we’re trading friendly insults.

My major is International studies, with emphases on Political Science and Anthropology, and within these emphases, I’ve been studying the lives of the underprivileged; women, poor people across the planet, women poor people (because approximately 70% of the world’s poor are female,) ethnic minorities/majorities (but who are oppressed on account of centuries of western imperialism..) etc. I have a tendency to get really emotional when I talk about social justice, and I’ll admit, trying to take the centrist point of view is pretty difficult for me.

I had an eating disorder for about 4 years, but gave it up when my doctor told me she wouldn’t let me travel abroad unless I ate more. It was a bit of a realization that I couldn’t be the person I wanted to become unless I gave up that lifestyle. (It sounds simple when I put it in those two sentences, but there was actually quite a bit of drama involved. I wrote about this in the HMC blog, http://healthymodels.org/2009/01/21/loving-your-body/ )

Hm…what else about me…I like cute baby animals…I’m a lactose-intolerant vegetarian (but not quite vegan)…sometimes I cry watching documentaries because the world is a very unfair place, but I’m not jaded yet…I guess that’s about it. Oh and sometimes I hear in color.

Now to business– (Cue lengthy wordiness):

In my class about “Gender, Politics, and Globalization,” we recently studied characteristics of successful women’s movements. Some of these characteristics included:

–delivering concrete improvements: this means we need to have specific goals, perhaps short-term and long-term goals, and have a concrete action plan on how to achieve those goals. (In a later section of this email I’ll be discussing possibilities)

–pay attention to the process: empower people, develop agency with people; help those who support our organization (such as, well, all of us and whoever’s in the facebook group) a sense that what they are doing is actually making a difference; making their voices count.

–change the dominant power relations in society, the need for organizations that sustain themselves. Part of what this means is that we can’t have a vertical hierarchy, but rather a horizontal one. That means that I can’t say, “hey, I’m president, that means I’m super-important and all must bow down to me!” but that we make choices jointly, and incorporate everyone in the organization into everything. (And yes, I realize there are a few ironies in my saying this in this particular email, but if you’d bear with me for a bit, I’d appreciate that )

Four other key social movement concepts are:

1. Political Opportunity Structures: basically, the things that exist in our society that can allow us to make our movement big. Are they there? How can we access them? (I think email, the internet, is a really big asset in this case, but I guess there are some more. )
2. Mobilizing Structures: Refers to the organizational infrastructure that supports movements internally. (So basically, enabling people who think HMC is cool to take it and run with it.)
3. Framing: basically the way we talk about the issue. Opponents of letting models eat would say, “This is about my freedom of expression.” We (at least I ) would say, “As long as your freedom of expression involves starving other people, that’s not about freedom anymore, but oppression; this is about safe working conditions laws, about not being sick in order to have a job, about sexism and infantilization of women…etc.)
4. Action Repertoire: a plan of what to do.

Okey-Day! So what should all these things mean in context of HMC?

I have some ideas about things that we should do, but I’d like to preface these ideas by stating: this is absolutely a rough draft, and your input is absolutely necessary: I won’t do anything that the group thinks is a dumb idea. With that in mind, please examine the following ideas critically, and do not hesitate to email me back telling me what is wrong with them or how they can be improved.

–HMC starter kit: this would be a series of PDF files on our website that would have information on how people can start their own chapters of Healthy Models Coalition at their own Universities or High Schools. (This would help with the “mobilizing structures” issue. PS: any suggestions? I’m currently thinking about fact sheets.)
–Co-opt famous people: not that I have any contacts, but if famous people think that healthy models are cool, this would really help get the word out. The specific famous people I have in mind are Michelle Obama, with whom fashion magazines are OBSESSED, and Kate Winslet, who has a history of being pro-healthy models, though not specifically with our organization. Maybe we can get Oprah too. (Any other suggestions? Or ideas how to contact them?)
–Part of getting in contact with famous people would be asking them to boycott clothes made by companies that use fashion models with EDs. (Political correctness check: Am I supposed to say they have EDs or that they are anorexic? Or is there another term I should be using?) This would probably involve coming up with a list of companies that use models with EDs, first. I have an idea that we could ask people in the facebook group to write down the companies they see in the magazines they read (preferably in alphabetical order), and we can put together one big huge list.
–The reason why boycotting clothes is important is because fashion magazines actually don’t get revenue from their subscriptions: the big money comes from the clothes companies that put their ads in. People pay attention to where their wallets are.
–Get back in Contact with Teen Vogue, because they were the ones that sponsored Ali Michaels’ appearing on that tv show. If we can get an article about our organization in their magazine, perhaps we can get more people in our cause. (Now that I think about it, maybe we can get in contact with Girl’s Life and American Girl magazine as well. Or Bust, Bitch, and Ms. Ah, so many magazines, so little time…) (PS does anyone know of any other femme-friendly magazines we can get in contact with?
–Find that Spanish law about minimum BMIs and translate it so that we can have a good springboard against which we can talk to politicians. (Admittedly I probably should have done that ages ago, but I’m sending an email to a librarian today on how to find that law.)
–Find someone who watches the TV shows America’s Next Top Model and…um..the other model reality TV show. Then ask them if while they’re watching, they can write down the instances in which someone high up tells an obviously skinny model she needs to lose even more weight. Then ask them to run our campaign criticizing these TV shows. (I know this one seems a bit far-fetched, but I seriously can’t stand those TV shows for more than 10 minutes without having serious urges to break something.)
–Eventually, I’d like to call a meeting with Barbara Boxer (Senate-CA for all y’all non-Californians) about our organization and talk to her about the legislation that we want the US to adopt. (This means, a: I need to find that law and translate it, b: chronologue the abuses of the modeling industry, figure out which laws/rights exactly they are breaking, c: finding out the effects that images of anorexic models has on the health of women in the US as a whole. Hopefully National Organization for Women has statistics on this. )
–Outreach. We need to get the word out, plus do that agency inducing thing.

I’d like to conclude this email saying that to merit the title of being a president of this organization, there are a lot more things that I should know that I currently don’t. I’ve never been in a rehabilitation center for my eating disorder, I’ve never been a model, I’ve never even taken a class about eating disorders and even my knowledge about the fashion industry is pretty slim.

If you could send me any information or any stories that would help me learn, I’d be greatly appreciative

Presidency Change

Dear Friends of HMC,

As cofounder of the Healthy Models Coalition, I hope you will not be alarmed to learn that I am stepping down from the position, but I want to assure you that the coalition is in good hands with cofounder Kathleen Richter, who is now president of the coalition, and all donations toward nonprofit status are still secure.  We are working together to ensure that the transition is smoothe.  The goals of the coalition have not changed, but, due to personal reasons, I am no longer able to assume the responsibilities I once did.

The idea for the HMC was born exactly six months ago, and I appreciate the support that we have felt.  I understand that some of you may be frustrated by the seemingly slow movement of the coalition, but please be assured that work has continued behind scenes (between midterms and day jobs, albeit), and has not come to a hault at all.

I’d also like to announce that Kathleen has published a letter to the editor about HMC in the April/May issue of Bust.  Way to go Kathleen!  You can check it out on shelves right now.

The HMC’s mission still remains very important to me, and I have no doubt that it will go on to do great things.

With gratitude,

Kyla
Former Co-President of the HMC

Facebook group

Halloo all!

Thought I’d clarify: We do also have a facebook group in addition to this website.

If you’d like to get updates directly to your facebook inbox, join the facebook group at the following URL:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53722152002&ref=ts

Happy Trails!

–Kathleen R, co-prez.

2009 Amazing Announcements!

Halloo everyone in the HMC!

A few amazing announcements:

A. HMC is in April/May09 BUST magazine! It’s (very) briefly mentioned the “Letters to the Editor,” section, but the website url and the main goal of the organization is mentioned—any free publicity is good (Not to mention it’s the very first letter to the editor, so if people get bored they’ll at least have read ours first). Unfortunately I’m pretty sure re-printing the text of the letter here would (awkwardly enough) be a copyright violation, but if you’re curious you can visit www.bust.com and check it out on page 7 of their mini-magazine preview.

B. Kyla’s book, “The Modern Supermodel And Professional Anorexia: www.healthymodels.org” Is on Amazon, providing a more in-depth look at abuses of the modeling industry with personal interviews and stresses the importance of legislation and changing the current system. Link here:

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Supermodel-Professional-Anorexia-www-healthymodels-org/dp/1440448523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234409540&sr=8-1

C. Two new TEMPLATE LETTERS are available on the website: 1, a letter to friends and family encouraging them to stop buying fashion magazines, and 2: a letter of “goodbye” to fashion magazines, notifying them that you have stopped subscribing because you dislike their anorexia-promoting ways. They’re both on the “Letters” page of the website.

D. Walk-Your-Talk day: SATURDAY, APRIL 11 HMC will be visiting local bookstores, grocery stores, etc to talk to managers about why they should stop selling their fashion magazines with anorexic models in them. By HMC, we mean not just us administrators, but we’re hoping you’ll take part too!

Guidelines for talking to local store managers:

*be polite. Being rude or angry will not only be ineffective, but you’ll probably get thrown out or get cited for being a public disturbance.

*Use facts. We just put up a pamphlet about the dangers of the fashion industry’s standard and about the HMC on the website, file available at: http://healthymodelscoalition.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/hmc_brochure.pdf

*focus on the supply side: Everyone already knows that fashion magazines are not very good for self-esteem: focusing on this aspect will not work. What you will need to do is tell store managers about how certain fashion magazines are bad for the models who are in them—and if you can do it in a polite way, suggest that by agreeing to sell those magazines, their store supports institutionalized anorexia. (Understandably that’s hard to say nicely, but please try.)I sent out this update a week in advance to the date because I am interested in hearing your opinions on how you can make this day more effective—if you have any suggestions, please send them our way!

EXTRA for San Diego residents:

On April 11 I’ll be making rounds to local stores. Starting at 9am on UCSD campus at the 41 bus stop (since I don’t have a car), I’m going to the Vons on Governor, Bookstar, UTC, the other Vons, Ralphs, CVS, and Whole Foods, and hopefully the UCSD bookstore if they don’t close before I get there. If anyone’s interested in coming with me, I’ll see you there!

–Happy Trails,

–Kathleen Richter, Co-president of the HMC

New sample letter: Portland Fashion Week

Hello HMC!

We’ve added a new letter to the letters page–this one is to Portland Fashion Week, to urge them to make their model requirements healthier.

It’s number 3 on our “letters” subheader.

Happy Activism!

Dove Gets the Axe

BY KAT RICHTER

We’ve already talked about the Dove campaign on this blog–Dove says it’s on women’s side, in exposing the amount of make-up and photoshopping that goes into one advertisement, and making the assertion that this is a terrible thing for girls’ and women’s self esteem everwhere. But, if one is to buy a Dove product, then Dove will make a contribution to a Dove self-esteem fund.

Sounds great! Everyone wants to go buy Dove products now, because they’re truthful and pro-women.

Don’t go unloading your wallets just yet.

As it so happens, Dove is a company owned by another company, called Unilever, which owns yet another company–Axe.

What do Axe commercials say?

This ad shown in Mexico features school girls doing a “sexy” dance.

Yup. They say, “Hey dudes, wear Axe and a bunch of female bikini-clad sexy objects will come running to you and you will be able to “get more” sex. Does that sound “woman-friendly” to you?

Me neither. Thanks a lot Dove and Axe–you have proved once again that corporations are not interested in the well-being or self-esteem of its consumers, but only in their money.
PS: To the guys: Axe smells bad. If you want a female-repellant, it is probably the most useful thing out there.

Heidi Klum: Preventing or Promoting Heart Attacks?

BY KYLA BUCKINGHAM

Heidi Klum fights heart disease - except for the kind caused by anorexia.

Does anyone else find it ironic that Heidi Klum has joined with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to fight heart disease while hosting Project Runway, a show that features emaciated models?

The last I checked, heart problems are a major problem among anorexics.  That’s how Luisel Ramos died on the runway.

Portland Fashion Week Slims Down

BY KYLA BUCKINGHAM

The last time I wrote about Portland Fashion week, I was unpopular, but I held my ground.  After being asked to report on Portland Fashion Week, I told my editor I could not for ethical reasons – so she told me to write the post and include my ethical reasons for being against Portland Fashion Week.  This was fabulous of her and shows true commitment not just to the environment, but to women too – multiple arenas of justice!

I am an environmentalist, which is not actually the point of this post.  Here’s my qualm -

You cannot tell me this woman meets the World Health Organization's minimum healthy BMI of 18.5.

many environmentalists ignore women’s rights and use sexist ads that feature emaciated models in passive or suggestive poses.  Just look to PETA if you want to hear more about this!  I have never understood how someone can promote environmental justice but not social justice.  It just doesn’t add up.  Ever heard about ecofeminism?

I choose to pick on Portland Fashion Week, of all fashion shows, because they claim to stand for a good cause – and they do, as environmentalists.  But they make lousy feminists.  I challenge Portland Fashion Week to go all the way and choose healthy models to wear its eco-friendly clothing.

Here’s my case:  The Portland Fashion Week 2007 call for models requested women 5′8″ to 6′0″ who wore dress sizes 0-6.  Although a six can be healthy for some of these women, a size zero cannot be.  Moreover, if you look at photos of the models from the last two years, you will see that they are very skinny, and certainly not healthy models.

I was enraged to find that the 2008 call for models called for women of the same height who were now sizes 0-4.  Recall that before they permitted size six.  As a woman who is 5′11″, I can tell you that the last time I wore a size four or smaller I was underweight, according to my dietitian.

Last year’s call for models began on February 24, which leads me to believe that the next call for models will be very soon.  We don’t have much time!  Please write them a quick note at info@portlandfashionweek.net and urge them to set an example in America by demonstrating its support for not only the environment, but for women too.  Demand that models have a minimum BMI of 18.5.  Tell them the Healthy Models Coalition sent you.

Also join their Facebook group and tell them that, while you appreciate their concern for the environment, you do not appreciate their lack of concern for their models.