Friday July 11th, 2008

The exercise:

This weeks Def Poetry Jam Friday features Rafael Casal's Barbie & Ken 101 (I'm just going to go ahead and put an adult language warning on this one - it's profanity with a purpose though, trust me).

Mine:

Doesn't it just make you feel good to know that there are 19 year old males out there that feel this way? That the media hasn't completely destroyed the real female ideal for at least some of us? Because, honestly, on the rare occasions I turn on the TV I certainly have trouble believing that.

When I heard about various fashion shows banning the use of overly thin models I hoped it was the beginning of the end of this terrible fashion trend. But has anything really changed? Between the constant bombardment of new diets and cosmetic surgery and exercise machines it doesn't seem like the message is any different.

It's truly sad because the things that will truly make you healthier and look your best will never be mentioned by runway models and infomercial hucksters - eat right and get off your ass. It's really that simple, but you can't make a buck off people growing their own vegetables and going for walks, so let's just keep it quiet people!

So much love for Mr. Casal, and may his message reach every corner of the mass market; may every little girl hear the words that will let them know that skinny is not the ideal, healthy is.

I'll leave you with another piece by Rafael, this one written and performed at the much older and wiser age of 21.

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