It’s important to also keep in mind that the point of a business is to make a profit, and if what people are looking to buy are things that make them think they are helping make them look skinnier or that skinny is the goal these consumers are aiming for- then it’s unsurprising that they will try to market to that huge majority of consumers. I suppose you could see it as a chicken or egg situation, but I have a strong feeling that the media was telling women to have a specific body type long before Forever 21 went into business. Money speaks- if we don’t want companies to market to us as though we are people obsessed with our body size, then we should opt not to buy in relation to that cliche, and buy things just because we like them, or because we agree with what they represent.

When I wear close-fiting jeggings, I call them Fatty Pants. I find that my name enhances my sassy look, ya know?

Megan, I’m kinda perplexed why you’re defending The Man. Sure, there’s a non-prejudicial take on these various names. That’s how they get away with using them! We’re not stupid. You or I or the people being marketed to. We know both levels of what they’re saying and the thin supremacist level is not okay.

After watching that documentary, America The Beautiful, I’ve come to see most cosmetic and hygiene products as carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting jars of anti-woman, anti-fat hate-mongering. In other words, the packaging and the smells have become a turnoff for me. I use Doctor Bronner’s soaps or Burt’s Bees shampoo or Benefit (but I only wear makeup when I have to be on TV) or the guaranteed non-cancer-causing type of deoderant. I found a super-tasty toothpaste that has no strange, chemical ingredients but still has fluoride and isn’t chalky. And of course, I *ALWAYS* use organic, non-bleached tampons!

When I’m shopping, I remind myself not to encourage meanness, certainly not to give mean companies my money!