Fat, fatty fat fat fat.

So yeah guess by the title what's goin on today?

I'm at work. Finally over the fucking migraine of suck.

However I am peeved because I forgot to have Uniballer take a picture of the fantastic hot ass summer outfit I wore on friday. I felt like the hot fucking sex in that. I will have to recreate it. What makes it even better is that it's a 98% thrifted outfit.

And the batteries in the camera are dead so fotos of anything will have to wait.

So first a word about the the term plus size model.

If you watch America's Next Top Model you'll know that plus size model Whitney won. There's a whole big thing about it but I don't care about all that. What I do want to discuss is the often and repeated freaking out in fat circles when a "plus size" model isn't necessarily fat.

Okay. This is plus size in the context of the fashion world. Not just the fashion world but the high fashion world. When you're average sample size is a 0-2 yes, people a size 8 is plus size.

It doesn't matter if the model is actually fat or not. No matter how much it might irk or piss you off, in that context yes a size 8 is going to be plus size.

Forgetting context bothers me.

Next let's talk about Torrid.

All over the fatosphere people are angry about Torrid being a part of a new MTV reality modeling thing. Some aspiring plus size models go to boot camp, lose weight and try to win a modeling contract. Read about it here, and here.

Okay this is probably not going to be a popular opinion. Which is why you'll note I've not commented in any of the discussions about this.

Torrid is not a Fat activist company. Torrid is not an organization devoted to Size Acceptance, Fat acceptance or any other acceptance except money acceptance. Yes, Torrid does make some hot ass clothes for fat girls. No, they are not here to make you feel better about yourself or guide you on your path to being happy as a fat girl. They Want. Your. Money.

Just like any other company, they want your dollars. And come on now folks, are we really all that surprised MTV has yet another exploitative show in mind?

Now to the whole boot camp weight loss thing.

To quote from a pretty (from what I've read) informative plus size modeling website:

Plus-size models have many of the same requirements "straight size" models do. They are usually tall (5'8" to 6'0"), have a beautiful face, great bone structure, clear skin, a gorgeous smile, and a well proportioned body. They often find work from their mid-teens all the way through middle age and work in markets all over the US and around the world.

And here's some more:

What are the requirements to be a Plus Size Model?

* Between 5'8" and 6'0" 5'9" is pretty much minimum for larger markets though Wilhelmina in NYC does represent a few girls who are 5'7" and 5'8".
* A size 10, 12, 14, 16 Sizes 8 and 18/20 are also used, but are not as common.
* Toned. You may be a "plus size," but you may have to be in shape if you model swimwear, lingerie or fitness gear.
* In style and in demand. You must have a look that is current yet not overly trendy. Plus-size models model a lot of "classic" wear. You don't want to have a buzz cut and a pierced nose if you get called for a Talbot's shoot. Keep your hair and make-up in fashion.
* Age. Teens through middle age.
* Proportionate. You should be in proportion. Your bust, waist and hips should be about ten inches apart in size (i.e. 42-32-42) or very close. In addition, the shorter you are, the smaller your size should be. Someone who is 5'8" would be expected to wear a smaller size (12/14) than a taller model. It is all about length and proportion.

Okay.

So if you are in fact a tall, proportionate (hourglass), toned in shape fattie you will probably not need bootcamp in order to book work. However if you are a tall, mostly proportionate kind of toned aspiring plus model, you might go all in for something like this.

The fact is that no matter how pissed off you get, the context of weightloss in this case can be merited and I believe should be discussed. I know I know, NO DIETING TALK FOR NO REASONS MAN!! But really.

We aren't discussing naked type modeling where, those requirements can be bent or ignored. We aren't talking about daily life or the daily lives of fatties everywhere.

Regardless of this being plus size or not, it's the fucking fashion industry which in case you've missed it somehow is not based in reality. Like, barely based in reality maybe if I'm feeling generous.

Going back to Torrid. If you check out the website, their models fit the standard of plus size modeling. Look at this lovely lady for a minute. Now have another look at plus model standards. Mmm yeah. I think you get my point here.

So I won't be boycotting Torrid. I won't be boycotting because frankly whether or not they endorse weightloss has nothing to do with nothing as far as I'm concerned. They have not as an entity come out with any Fat Positive, No Diet, No Weight Loss credo so no, I don't think there is anything wrong with what they are involved in. It's publicity, it brings people to the store who would probably shop there, they make some money the circle of commerce is complete.

In this context I think a boycott and outrage is not the most effective fight to pick. I will still buy from Torrid when the mood strikes.

Moving on.

Maybe I'm just getting old but sometimes I read posts that just don't move me at all and I kind of sit back and watch people flail and just have to wonder how the fuck do you seriously have all that energy?

I don't get really angry over things like someone using a word and then apologizing for it. Unless they have a history of douchebag behaviour I tend to chalk it up to, we're all human and have off days.

That totally probably means I am getting old yo.

And next thing.

I don't understand the upset over shapewear in this particular day and age.

I don't know about you but the only people to ever even suggest in a pushy kind of way that I use shapewear have been older and elderly women in my family for whom, the girdle was a way of life and not a political statement.

I get really very tired of the idea that (again, I know you've heard/seen it) that you can't really be body positive if you don't feel like your ass cheeks jiggling in that particular dress. Or if you would prefer that your back rolls be demoted to back cookies in that dress.

Seriously?

Everytime I see the arguments about fucking shapewear I just shake my head.

Not wanting your ass to jiggle, or wanting to be able to suck it in that extra millimeter to fit into that dress that's been in your closet for a millenia is not a moral issue. It's often not a political issue. It's an aesthetics issue.

It doesn't mean you hate fat people, you hate being fat or that you hate jiggly ass cheeks.

That's a whole other thing I get tired of in any body oriented movement. The idea that everything you wear or want to wear or way you want to look reveals some deeply hidden hate or discontent or other way to get your ass booted out of the club. That is so extraordinarily tiring to me.

As I've said in arguments with people about my hair (the fact that I choose not to wear it natural) it's not a fucking political statement. No really. Nor were any of the times I wore braids, have worn a corset, have worn some control tops, have worn DUNDUNDUN a REAL GIRDLE.

No really.

And for people like me who sometimes make wardrobe choices strictly on the basis of what makes their brains go, "OH HAYL YEAH" being questioned about it ad nauseum is probably not going to change my mind. It might make me not want to speak to you but I will probably wear whatever anyway.

Rehashing of this sort of thing really does not hold my interest for more than three seconds.

I totally started this yesterday and should post it now. I have nothing else to add really.

I will post a new make up picture later as well as probably something else.

Homo Out.

PS..
I will take my rantypants off first.

Stumble It!

Princess Rantypants calls bullshit.

I have a homicide inducing migraine and have for three days so I put on my rantypants.

Buckle up.

First let's talk about how much I never want to see the word diversity again.

di·ver·si·ty /dɪˈvɜrsɪti, daɪ-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-vur-si-tee, dahy-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness.
2. variety; multiformity.
3. a point of difference.

Ok so most of us grown up types probably know what diversity means. And you like me probably hear and see it all the time.

Quite frankly I'm over it.

Not the idea of diversity when it's a real thing what I'm over is the self congratulatory tone many people adopt when they invite one of "them" into the sandbox.

What I see more and more are people patting themselves on the back soundly when they pretend like they are really going after diversity. Groups talk about inviting (accepting, tolerating) people who are unlike themselves. I read a ton of random artist blogs and they pat themselves when instead of the thin model with biggish boobs they photograph/paint/whatever the thin model with small boobs.

Granted yes everyone has to start somewhere but, that does not mean once you have a minority or someone else not made in your own image in your immediate vicinity that does not mean you have magically become some uber diversity having fabulous whatever. It really doesn't.

I am talking about a very specific thing here. Example.

Not too long ago I was reading some random photography forum I found on Google and they had a very interesting thread about diversity in a persons work. Do you try to out pace your own aesthetics? Do you open up your eyes a little wider? Some people had interesting things to say but what got me was one jackhole (male or female jackhole I don't know) who went on at great length about his/her diverse portfolio and "daring" use of non traditional models.

So I went and had a look at the provided link and well. It pretty much went like this, tall thin blond big boob having lady, tall thin big boob having redhead lady, tall thin/sculpted bald headed gentleman, shorter thin smaller boob having lady, etc. You get my drift. I spent a good long while looking at this artists photos and the theme repeated over and over.

Yes, this photographer does have an eye for lighting and texture. Yes the photos were very lovely but are you fucking joking? Are you serious about this diversity thing?

I want a new rule. You cannot crow about your diverse anything if save for a detail or two the people you are bragging about including are fairly interchangeable in a surface manner. No really fucking stop.

I am really not trying to be wanky but come on. I actually did email the photographer and was very polite about asking if they are serious about this claim to being a "lover of all types of beauty".

Princess Rantypants calls fucking bullshit on that.

That was about two weeks ago and I've gotten no response.

From that I want to move onto a little race talk.

I am a black woman. I know probably a lot more about my genealogy than a lot of people. I am also acutely aware that there is no way right now to know past a certain point.

That all said if ONE more person says that I am exotic looking I will probably punch them with my exotic looking small fists. I have experienced way too many people who cannot simply accept that someone of a different race is just pretty or nice looking or whatever. There is so often that extra, "so exotic". For the record, that can be really insulting and makes me think you are a moron.

Say I'm interesting looking, say I love nice eyes, say I have lush lips, say I have a fucking banging body but that exotic shit does not fly with me at all. Also, don't comment on my hair in a way that lets me know you're surprised a black woman has pretty hair.

Just fucking don't.

I have heard it from (I'm seriously giving the benefit of the doubt here) well meaning people and I honestly don't always have the time to be the Educating Black Woman. However I am more than happy to make sure you understand you said something fucked up.

This principal applies all over the place. If you are one of those people who will get a shocked look in your eye and then say, "oh you look so nice" and leave the "for a (insert whatever here)" the person you're speaking to will probably hear that unspoken part and like you a little less for it.

If you really don't think a fat person/person of another ethnicity/whatever the difference is, is in fact capable of beauty keep your fucking trap shut. And maybe have a good long look in the mirror because you might have the word douche on your forehead.

More on the subject of shock I've said this before and I will say it again. If I EVER hear the following words with a raised eyebrow or astonished glee I will stab the person who said it:

"You are so well spoken."

I have done lots of work over the phone. Customer service type, help line type and not once has anyone ever said that in that particular tone. However I have had it when I've shown up for a job interview, met a customer face to face etc. I've heard it in public on the bus. I've heard it from random people and my response is always (and has been for at least a decade) the same.

"Is there some reason I shouldn't be?"

Which invariably leaves people stammering about how non-racist they are.

Fuck off. You have predjudices and I am not impressed that I have made the "good negro" impression on you. Matter of fact I could give two shits less.


There are ways to give this kind of compliment without being a douche. Example:

I was standing waiting for the bus when a lost tourist from Athens GA stopped to ask me directions, I gave them to him and asked if he was from Georgia to which he nodded. We exchanged a few very Southern type pleasantries, he called me Miss and started to walk away. He turned back and walked back over to tell me that I have an "absolutely beautiful speaking voice" and should be doing voice overs.

See the difference there? I'm sure at least most of you do.

I have also had random people tell me how "proud" they are that I am such an avid reader. Generally older people and it's always that slightly infantalized tone you might use with a precocious four year old.

"That's sooooo great you read so much."

In writing it doesn't come across but once you hear the tone of surprise and misplaced pride, you remember it.

I'd rather you tell me you think it's cool. Tell me you envy my ability to concentrate. Tell me I'm a fucking nerd and give me a wedgie but spare me the "oh look what the Black girl can do" tone. Fuck off.


What next?

Um. I'm not sure. I'm really tired of hearing a lot of things. I'm tired of getting the message that my love of things like make up and whatnot somehow make me less than or somehow makes me ignorant to something.

I really fucking hate that. I really fucking hate people putting their reasoning into my actions. I've heard that sort of thing from pretty much every corner of life and pertaining to everything about me. My clothes, my hair, my love of super girly things like glittery eyeliner and finding that perfect mascara, my shoes blablablablabla.

If you don't know me intimately, as in you cannot finish my sentances or know when I'm going to yell NO randomly as I am wont to do, then don't presume you know my reasoning for anything. Ask me. If you ask in a polite manner I will probably answer in the same way.

I think I'm done. My head really hurts and I need some tea and a snack.

Also welcome folks from Tribute to Black Women. Feel free to look around.

Homo Out.

Tags: rant

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