Archive for July, 2020

The Fat Body Visible – by Megan Manning

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The SWOVA library recently added a film to its collection.  “Fat Body (In) Visible,” is a short film by Margitte Kristjansson and a fascinating insight into the lives of two fat activist women, Jessica and Keena.  The norm in our society is to believe that fat is bad, but there are many fat acceptance (FA) activists who are challenging that belief and who value and enjoy their bodies.

According to the women in the film, fat style is one of the best ways to be political as a fat woman.  People see them walking down the street, wearing clothes that show off rather than hide their shape, and this challenges stereotypes and makes some people uncomfortable.  It has garnered some negative reactions, including being called a ‘fat piggy bitch’.  Jessica and Keena won’t change themselves to make others comfortable and have developed a love and appreciation for their bodies.

 

“If I could say one thing to young fat people dealing with bullying and their body image … It’s not about you.  It’s about the bully.  It’s about their own issues, about what people are telling them they should feel.  Just don’t let anyone police your body.” Jessica, fat activist.

 

The idea of fat acceptance (FA) is that every body is a good body.  There is a strong supportive social media community out there for people to share ideas, express their feelings and network.

This film made me think about my own conditioning to judge and/or feel sorry for ‘fat’ women.   A few months ago, I saw a young woman wearing a crop-top which showed her belly, and tight, cut off shorts over large legs covered with fishnet tights.  I thought “oh, girl you are not doing yourself any favours.” After watching this film, I think, perhaps that young woman was not trying to hide her ‘fat’ bits.  Perhaps she was celebrating them.  Our conditioning to hide our lumps and bumps at all costs is pervasive.  Those of us who are not a size 10 or under must stick to dark colours and try to stay invisible.  I’m not saying that I’m going to rush out in a mini skirt and tube top, but I will look on those lumps and bumps (mine and other’s) in a different light.

This film encourages feeling good about your body no matter what size, shape or colour you are and for this reason, it’s a must see for anyone – especially teenage girls – who is struggling with their body image.  You don’t have to be ‘fat’ to appreciate this film.  Even if you don’t value everything these women say, their points are interesting and insightful and will give you some empathy for plus size people.

Social media resources:

http://afatfashionista.blogspot.ca/

http://www.therotund.com/

http://www.fatbodyinvisible.com/

http://tangledupinlace.tumblr.com/

http://buttahlove.tumblr.com/

SWOVA’s library is free and open to the public, Monday – Thursday 9am to 5pm.  If you would like to rent a film or a book, please come to our office at 344 Lower Ganges Road, (between the Golden Island Chinese restaurant and Dagwoods).  For more information please call: 250-537-2020

Young Women’s Survey Part of Leadership Project – by Chloe Sjuberg

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One of SWOVA’s newest initiatives, the Salish Sea Girls Leadership Project (SSGLP), aims to build leadership capacity and opportunities for girls and young women in the Gulf Islands.
SSGLP’s first major undertaking has been to conduct a needs assessment survey among young women aged 15 to 24 living in the Gulf Islands. “We plan to survey 25 per cent of the total eligible population, which will result in a statistically powerful representation of our young female population,” says project coordinator Andria Scanlan about the process. The survey asks about the barriers and opportunities girls experience growing up in our communities. So far, survey participants have been enthusiastic about sharing their voices and given thoughtful responses exploring subjects from body image to bullying.
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In June, the 10 Salt Spring girls on the project’s Youth Advisory Council rode the early morning water taxis, distributing the survey to students travelling to GISS (Gulf Islands Secondary School) from Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna islands. Listening to the voices of girls who live in the outer islands, not only Salt Spring, is important to the project’s success.
Nikky Varlis Love, one of the Youth Advisory Council members, spoke positively about this chance to connect with her peers, “Physically travelling to the outer islands is the best way to take change into our own hands.”
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The team is also distributing the survey through many channels on Salt Spring, and it is available online as well (see link below).
Some of the survey subjects covered are: young women’s access to leadership opportunities; sense of connection to others in their community; and making their voices heard. The survey also addresses transportation, safety, physical and emotional health, and the availability of quality places to hang out. Young women are asked to share their experiences in these areas and give input on possible improvements. Existing national research indicates those issues are commonly faced by girls in rural areas of Canada – more so than their urban or male peers. A 2020 Girls Action Foundation report finds that leadership opportunities and supports, along with mentorship and community engagement are key elements to rural young women’s success. The Girls Action Foundation’s belief that “every girl is an expert in her own life” reflects SSGLP’s decision to ask young women directly what obstacles they would like to see addressed and how.
All young women aged 15 to 24 who live in the Gulf Islands are encouraged to help out and share their thoughts by completing the survey online at https://www.esurveycreator.com/s/93d2a72. Even those who no longer live here can take part, as long as they grew up in the Gulf Islands. Paper copies of the survey can also be picked up at the SWOVA office (344 Lower Ganges Road).
SSGLP urgently needs about 50 more surveys to be filled out by the end of this week, so they are asking anyone eligible to participate as soon as possible.
The results of the needs assessment survey will be made available in mid-August. By the fall, SSGLP will be taking steps to create change based on the issues the islands’ young women identify as most important.
You can help support SSGLP by donating your grocery receipts to the project’s new Save-a-Tape box, #137, at Country Grocer.
Chloe Sjuberg
Communications Coordinator
SWOVA – Salish Sea Girls Leadership Project