This is what I wore to the Somerville Open Studios fashion show, where I got to admire the lovely work of Joolie and other designers.
Dress: Old Navy, socks: Domino Dollhouse, shoes: Naot, rhinestone bracelet and pink necklace and tiny hat: So Good, studded wristband: PacSun, pearl necklace: Claire’s
“Well, Mr. President, you are of course entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. And I will not simply ‘agree to disagree’ on whether or not my generation gets to have a future; on whether my friends in the Philippines have a home; on whether my comrades in Mexico are able to grow food for their families; or whether my friends and family in upstate New York can continue to drink their water or whether those in Manhattan can live in homes free of radon leaking from pipelines in the heart of New York City.”
– Eliza Sherpa, “‘All of the above’ is simply ‘more of the same’: Obama’s failing grade on climate change”
An awesome display I saw in Forever 21.
Happy Friday! This is going to be a long one, but it’s all really good stuff–take your time reading through it.
Fa(t)shion
-Check out the IndieGoGo campaign for WeighTees, a company that will make funny t-shirts in sizes XL through 6X.
–Black man in a dress: getting fresh with Wilbert.
–The fat chick’s shopping guide for summer style: part II.
Fat Activism
-Fellow Bostonians, I know it’s last-minute, but I just found out about this body-posi beach day at Revere Beach on Sunday! I’ll be there for at least a little while, and I’m going to try to bring some friends–maybe I’ll see you there?
–Why we should fight back against non-profits that “fight obesity.” Ugh, I am SO SICK of seeing fat people blamed for everything from global warming and hunger. And I’m glad people are speaking up about it.
–I don’t fit in my husband’s shirt. Get over it.
–How to take the weight loss industry down.
–This week in fat stigma: the Boy Scouts of America have forbidden fat kids from attending their 2013 Jamboree. Blehhh.
-Marianne is back at The Rotund–huzzah!–writing about intersectional fat acceptance, building community, and not being part of the mainstream.
–Fat liberation is totally queer. YES!
–Big men can bike: meet cyclist Ernest Gagnon.
–4 women, 4 words: discussing the words that describe our big bodies.
-Jes rounds up the best body-positive books.
This is what I wore to my friend’s laser tag/arcade games/Irish pub/historic-hotel-hanging-out birthday party. (Well, at least for the daytime parts–I changed into my favorite red dress for the evening).
Both the tank top and shorts/capris are from Lane Bryant–in fact, they’re the ones I mentioned in this post. I love finally having a pair of soft, stretchy, comfortable bottoms that are actually colorful!
Tank top and shorts: Lane Bryant, sandals: Clark’s (from a local shoe store, but this style is now discontinued), TARDIS earrings: gift from Steve, headband: Target, slinky worn as bracelet: found in a box of free stuff on the curb (yes, really! my neighborhood is awesome), bangles: Deb, necklace: Kelsea Echo Studio
This is the outfit I wore to the Big Thrifty back in May–yes, I know, I’m still catching up on outfit posts!
The skirt is reversible–you can see me wearing the other side here. I also have the same skirt in turquoise/brown, which you can see here and here. Reversible skirts are the best.
top: Old Navy, skirt: yard sale (for $1!), sneakers: Sugar Shoes via eBay a million years ago, headband: a toy store in Western Mass, earrings and rose necklace: So Good, fat necklace: Fancy Lady Industries, bangle: Deb, wristband: Macy’s
So, because of all the news lately has been ridiculously depressing, here are some songs to listen/dance to when you need to take a break.
There has been so much good, thoughtful writing about the verdict and the social systems that allowed it to happen. Here are a few of the best pieces I’ve come across:
–The Zimmerman jury told young black men what we already knew.
It is a complicated thing to be young, black, and male in America. Not only are you well aware that many people are afraid of you—you can see them clutching their purses or stiffening in their subway seats when you sit across from them—you must also remain conscious of the fact that people expect you to be apologetic for their fear. It’s your job to be remorseful about the fact that your very nature makes them uncomfortable, like a pilot having to apologize to a fearful flyer for being in the sky.
–White supremacy acquits George Zimmerman.
When Zimmerman was acquitted today, it wasn’t because he’s a so-called white Hispanic. He’s not. It’s because he abides by the logic of white supremacy, and was supported by a defense team—and a swath of society—that supports the lingering idea that some black men must occasionally be killed with impunity in order to keep society-at-large safe.
–We are not Trayvon Martin: a Tumblr exploring race and privilege through people’s personal experiences. The creator of the blog explains here why he started it:
So much of the coverage and trial has been about race, Trayvon’s race, and what that meant for him. But all to often those of us who get the benefits of racism can’t see. We can’t see it because the world just appears normal. Living a “normal” life means i don’t have to think about race.
But race shapes my world as much as it shapes Trayvon’s, and it is my responsibility to see that and change that.
For Trayvon.
For his parents, who are grieving and have no justice.
For Rachel Jeantel, who said Trayvon was one of the few guys who didn’t make fun of her.
For Marissa Alexander, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing warning shots against her abusive husband–and for being a black woman–while George Zimmerman walks free.
For everyone who wasn’t surprised by the verdict, because they’d already been told so many times that their lives were worth nothing.
For the mamas who are afraid to let their sons walk to the corner store for candy and iced tea.
For a “justice” system that was never built to protect anyone but rich, het, cis white men.
For a country that allows this to happen, again and again.
For all the rage and heartsickness and the searing, bone-deep need for change.
Happy Friday! As usual, feel free to link to interesting things you’ve read or written this week in the comments.
Fa(t)shion
-I love this queer vintage photo series.
-Etsy rounds up plus size designers who sell clothing on their site.
-Domino Dollhouse’s totally adorable strawberry dress is now available for pre-order! Also, I’m loving their pearl-covered kitty ears headband.
-The wear-all-white sunset cruise at New York’s Full Figured Fashion week looks like so much fun, and everyone has such creative outfits. I would love to go someday!
Fat Activism
-Check out Ragen’s awesome fat activist history project, In Our Own Words.
-If you’re in Berkeley, check out this amazing-looking bellydance benefit performance.
–For fat patients and their doctors.
-Mary Lambert’s (yes, the singer in Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love”) debut poetry collection, 500 Tips for Fat Girls, looks really interesting.
-Big Libery has a great list of references for debunking fat hate and misconceptions.
Climate and Sustainability
-An important reminder: fossil fuel divestment is about more than reducing emissions.
–Quebec’s Lac-Megantic oil train disaster was not just a tragedy, but a corporate crime.
-If you’re in Massachusetts, tell your legislator to support a ban on fracking in the state.
–500 million reasons to rethink the parking lot.
–Water works: communities reimagine ways of making every drop count.
-A powerful piece about fighting for life: Solidarity is unstoppable.
-I love that there’s a group of mothers and grandmothers fighting climate change right here in Boston.
Climate Summer activists asked people why they care about climate change, and this is one of the answers.
Everything Else
–10 queer rappers you should check out.
–Is 12-year old Willow Smith’s new video totally inappropriate, or are we just reading sexual stuff into it that just isn’t there?
–Criminality, urban living, and race: when my students get locked up, I get angry.
–Dirty Dancing is a subversive masterpiece, and here are four reasons why.
-In a great guest post at Captain Awkward’s blog, A. Raymond Johnson provides support to a transgender man who is sick of dealing with both external and internalized transphobia.
–Gay is not the new black: the Supreme Court and the politics of misrecognition.
–Rachel Jeantel’s language is English–it’s just not your English.
-The upcoming Netflix series Orange is the New Black looks promising for many reasons, including the inclusion of a transwoman of color (played by an actual transwoman).
–The Kreayshawn complex: cultural appropriation as counter-cultural expression.
-A cake that says “YAY” on the inside? Yes, please.
Tutus And Tiny Hats 