When I first read about the Advocacy Project, one idea really stuck out because it’s something I feel is so important today. Growing up as a dancer, I witnessed a lot of girls (as well as myself) go through eating disorders and problems with body dysmorphia. At first this was just prevalent in the dance world but now I see it everywhere I look. So for my project I am planning to do it on eating disorders (particularly in teenage girls). Most likely I would execute it via video format as an educational promo on the harm of phrases seen on apps like tik tok and how it affects girls’ perceptions of their own bodies. For example, when one girl on the slimmer side posts a video all of the comments are “I guess I won’t be eating dinner today” or “eat a hamburger”. On the other side, if a girl with curves posts the same video, the comments are “wow you are so brave!” or “i love your confidence”. Seemingly harmless jokes are creating this stigma of what size is “ideal”. With a video educating youth on what words can do to someone’s body, I think it would be very impactful if shown to a high school health class or something along the lines.
I think that Eva O’Leary’s collection Spitting Image is both a piece of art and a piece of advocacy. Without a doubt, this is a beautiful photography art collection because it captures people in how they view themselves, not how others view them which is completely the opposite of any art profile done previously. The concept is truly impactful and “art” would be the best way to explain the collection. It’s also 100% advocating for the help of desexualizing young girls as it shows when/how they feel beautiful, with or without makeup or any other forms of visual transformation. As for ethics, I think that it is when looking at the analysis of the keyword piece and the video. This project is being carried through by a girl who was in the same place as the girls in the photos just a few years prior and thus has a stable handle on how they view themselves vs how they think other people see them and it’s rather appropriate to see that through the photographs.
I like the idea for your advocacy project and I think that it is extremely important. Some other possible ideas to consider would be the negative connotation of the word “fat” and how fat does not automatically mean ugly and it is not something to be ashamed of. Like when I say to my friends that I am chubby I am not putting myself down but they automatically go “no you’re not” and I go “yes I am but there’s nothing wrong with that I’m still beautiful”. Also the phrase “morning skinny” is used a lot to justify people skipping meals, especially in high school.
I think you have a great idea for this advocacy project. As girls growing up in a society where skipping meals or just not eating to lose weight is seen as a
strength, it is incredibly difficult to learn to be happy or even just okay with your body. I am very much looking forward to what you will do with this project.
I LOVE your idea for the advocacy project. I myself was a dancer my entire life and actually wrote my entire passion blog first semester on body image, eating disorders and having self esteem. Great idea!