When did it become 'normal' for us to hate our bodies?
Letter to the Editor
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is February 12-19. Many members of the Notre Dame community will flip past the articles and apathetically toss the surveys in the wastebasket. Eating disorders may seem confusing and completely unrelated to you. But let me ask you this: Have you ever looked at a mirror or in a fashion magazine and felt dissatisfied as a result? Have you ever compared yourself to a friend or a complete stranger, wishing you could look more like them? Then I assure you, Eating Disorders Awareness Week is important for you.
This may seem like a gigantic leap, but it is true; we all are affected by eating disorders and by the attitudes that cause them. The purpose of Eating Disorders Awareness Week is to further understand the causes of these prevalent and deadly diseases and to confront stereotypes about them. Eating disorders have nothing to do with food. They begin with depression and dissatisfaction with one's body image. These bring about self-hatred that is often expressed in unhealthy eating patterns.
Problems with accepting ourselves as we are manifest themselves in other unhealthy behaviors besides eating. They are underneath our damaged relationships, hurtful actions, depression and addictions. Until we can embrace ourselves for being ourselves, we can never reach our goals or reach out to others. Wherefore, I would like to rename this week — I declare this week "Self-Acceptance Awareness Week."
When did it become normal for us to hate our bodies? Why do we see it as common for women to call themselves "fat" and for men to constantly compare their strength to that of others? Why are we constantly evaluating ourselves to everyone on television and to all of our friends? We are told from the beginning that we were created in the very image of God! He never wanted us to be the same, but as his children, we are all equal in heart and soul. He called us temples of His Holy Spirit — why is it so ordinary to criticize and detest God's masterpieces?
To truly treat an eating disorder, victims must first learn to accept and love themselves as they are. As part of Self-Acceptance Awareness Week, I challenge you to do the same. Look past the image and criticisms you have of yourself and see God's most valuable and worthwhile handiwork. Once you can accept and love yourself as is, look past your own judgments and others' outward appearances to see a brother or sister, a worthwhile and unique human being. Surround your family and friends with encouragement, reminding them that you love them exactly as they are. And, especially on this week, look at those suffering from eating disorders and see humans struggling with self-appreciation and love.
I'd like to change our society so that no one bases their self worth on outer appearances but on inner character. However, I realize that changing the world is a gargantuan task. All I can do is get up every morning, look in the mirror and try to accept and maybe even love what I see. Then, I will try to look past the outer image I have of others and accept them for who they are. Maybe, as part of Self-Acceptance Awareness Week, you could do the same. Maybe your friends, your hall-mates and our community can do the same.
Monica Rowinski
Sophomore
Lewis Hall
February 2, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 4, 2000
