Chicago is affected by the media's perception of beauty just like any other city. All around the city there are ads, billboards and images of the women who fit the criteria of being beautiful. Summer time in Chicago brings even more negativity on body image than there already exists. According to the arcticle Five Steps to Better Body Image, “It’s safe to say that many people dread the bathing suit part of summer as much as the bundling up of winter…and that’s saying a lot in Chicago.” During the summer images of women with perfect bodies in bathing suits are everywhere. It gives women the idea that in order to be able to wear a bathing suit and be attractive, their body should look a certain way. Mental health therapist Amy Kurz says, “Confusing (and just plain misleading) media images and messages make it easy to fall into a pattern of negative thinking about our bodies.” The importance of this is that the media’s idea of beauty bewilders people because they don’t fit into that perception.
To think globally and act locally in our city to raise body image awareness can inspire other parts of the world to do the same. To think globally and act locally means that people should look at how a problem affects the whole world, and try to take action in their own communities and cities in order to bring change. For example, when SOJO did the “No Makeup” day it was a way to help girls in our school feel comfortable in their own skin. Many people talked about the event on social media, such as facebook, and many girls posted pictures of themselves without makeup. By setting an example in our school other people that saw the posts might’ve felt inspired to do something similar. We can start raising awareness with those people close to us, such as family, friends, and community members. These people can than spread the word to other people and make the awareness known. Once a whole city knows what is going on, it is easier to let the world know of the issue.
To think globally and act locally in our city to raise body image awareness can inspire other parts of the world to do the same. To think globally and act locally means that people should look at how a problem affects the whole world, and try to take action in their own communities and cities in order to bring change. For example, when SOJO did the “No Makeup” day it was a way to help girls in our school feel comfortable in their own skin. Many people talked about the event on social media, such as facebook, and many girls posted pictures of themselves without makeup. By setting an example in our school other people that saw the posts might’ve felt inspired to do something similar. We can start raising awareness with those people close to us, such as family, friends, and community members. These people can than spread the word to other people and make the awareness known. Once a whole city knows what is going on, it is easier to let the world know of the issue.
In Chicago, there are some people that are starting to promote a positive body image. The University of Chicago is an example of this. The University of Chicago says, “The Body Project is a group of Peer Health Advocates who work to promote positive body image within the UChicago community. We are committed to empowering students to love and accept their bodies by providing safe spaces to discuss issues related to body image with our trained peer leaders, as well as other programming that creates a more body positive campus environment.” If all schools around the city of Chicago had programs like this, it would create a more positive atmosphere concerning body image. It can also let people know that they are not alone and that there are people who are willing to help.
The issue of the Media's perception of beauty affects not only Chicago, not only La Villita, not only SOJO, but as close as home. We all have heard someone close to us complain about their appearance. However, instead of helping our society accept differences in beauty, our own communities give the idea that a variety of beauty doesn't exist. It is important to make people understand that we must be happy in the skin we're in. Beauty is not defined by your face or body. Beauty is different and it can be found all around.
The issue of the Media's perception of beauty affects not only Chicago, not only La Villita, not only SOJO, but as close as home. We all have heard someone close to us complain about their appearance. However, instead of helping our society accept differences in beauty, our own communities give the idea that a variety of beauty doesn't exist. It is important to make people understand that we must be happy in the skin we're in. Beauty is not defined by your face or body. Beauty is different and it can be found all around.