http://huehueteotl.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/sexing_the_body.jpg
The link above takes you to the cover of a book called Sexing the Body by Anne Fausto-Sterling. The title of the book reminds me of what we discussed in class Tuesday about gender and how people often perform it. It also reminds me of the way the body is just a cavity and how the inside may not always reflect the outside. I also found another picture that I chose not to put up. It was an ad of a woman that fits the mold of what is typically thought of as beautiful. However, the caption below the picture stated something along the lines that although the woman looked perfect she was dealing with cystic fibrosis. Both of these things have made me think about the body and the way it is not who you are, but simply what others see.
During our class discussion my thoughts kept going to the idea of body modification, but on a smaller level. I think of the way we get braces, or do our hair, or even go to the gym. It's so interesting how we constantly make efforts to change our outside appearance, despite the fact that we don't want people to judge us by the way we look. I'm not pointing fingers here though because I was in the gym this morning and I will be back later this week. I just think it's interesting. I almost feel like the mind and the body have separated. I know my opinions and thoughts about certain things but I'm not looking to bring my body into that same idea. For me, people change their bodies to fit the mold but they don't always change their minds to fit the mold.
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Do you think this form of body modification follows the idea that out existence is contingent upon the health of our bodies? I was very intrigued by this concept in the readings.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be reading excerpts from Fausto-Sterling's books next week or so -- good timing! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said, I have never even thought of braces and hair styles as body modification, but they definitely are. Also, you don't hear many people say they wish to be judged by their outside looks...but if our outside image does not matter, why are we so quick to modify our bodies just for the sake of society's "norms" such as straight white teeth, smaller waists, and perfect hair? Very interesting point you made!
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