Print Edition: September 25, 2013
New mannequins, old issues
I like the idea of mannequins representing different heights, shapes, and sizes. It could be seen as demonstrative of healthier attitudes toward body image and self-esteem.
However, the debate on the issue makes me think otherwise.
It astounds me how many people think size 12 to 14 mannequins encourage obesity. Really? You could make the same argument about size two to four mannequins encouraging anorexia, but both of these standpoints are inherently flawed: humans are not homogeneous. A normal, healthy size for one person is not necessarily a normal, healthy size for another.
People are ready to believe they are wholly unique, yet immediately get their backs up when someone suggests not everyone should share their dress size.
Perhaps the problem is not with our mannequins, but with this obsessive and contradictory fixation on body image.
But I imagine the debate is not hurting the bottom line of clothing companies dressing up the new mannequins.
Learning from residential school day
I would like to live in a society that doesn’t tell residential school survivors that their accounts are stories, something that happened and can be left in the past.
The majority of Canadians want to ignore this part of our history, always asking why the issues won’t go away. It’s unpleasant, but something that needs attention. The consequences of what Canadian settlers did resonate through time: rape, serialization, medical experiments, torture, and cultural censorship.
Canada has a memory problem. We all need to remember and empathize—not pity —First Nations. We must celebrate aboriginal success, not be jealous or fearful of it.
The victims of reservation schools shoulder a burden of pain, conflict, and learning for all of us. They can teach us to heal. First Nations, English, French, and new immigrants – we are a whole nation, greater than the sum of our parts.
Phone envy
What happened to the time when a phone was a phone? The release of the new alphabetized iPhone models last week got me thinking of my newly purchased model of the classic flip-phone, complete with camera on the back and t9 for “efficient” texting.
So, the new iPhone comes with its fancy fingerprint analysis and new operating system. Whatever. What happened to those old reliable devices that didn’t break when you dropped them and held a battery charge for a week? I’m the only person I know who still owns the flip and I feel like I’m from the Stone Age every time I bring it out in public. Believe me, there is no app envy to be had; why do I need to be bombarded by a constant stream of social media?
It all seems distracting and exhausting to me. I choose the simple life. As long as t9 doesn’t give you trouble with mixing up ‘me’ and ‘of,’ it is always satisfying to hang up with the snap of the flip phone.
Stay home, you poor sick thing!
It’s the season of crisp, cool air. It’s the season of falling leaves. It’s the season of sitting beside an obviously-ill classmate and wishing they’d stayed home.
I think it’s admirable if you want to come to class no matter what, I really do. I think you have shown great tenacity and dedication in the face of flu-like symptoms. You probably powered through four packages of NeoCitran in order to be here, fighting an uphill battle against a brain stuffed with ketchup and cotton wool. I respect that. I know how that feels. I’ve been there.
But here’s the thing: I stayed home, and so should you. You’ll feel better. I’ll feel better.
And if you really think you need to prove how sick you are, record a GIF of yourself drooling snot and attempting to follow a logical thought through to the end. You were going to come to class and give us the same display anyway – may as well deliver it through the sterile safety of the internet, so we can find it funny rather than terrifying.
