Sunflower, I'm glad you're writing again. I'm sorry not to stop by and comment earlier - I was delighted to get your email - but I've been spread pretty thin. With the term ending soon, I've got hopes of writing less perfunctory stuff than has been my habit lately.
I think you nail it when you say that "uglyism" implies that there some objective, agreed-upon definition of ugly. Even the most cursory cross-cultural comparison puts the lie to this.
I also think lots of the coolest women have an "ugly duckling" past. We either had to grow into our bodies (or parts thereof) ... or the men our age had to grow up enough to appreciate us in a world that teaches boys first to judge women by narrow standards. So here's to being at home in our flesh, and lucky enough to meet men who appreciate us as whole beings.
I'd prefer to repress the term "uglyism," but on second thought, getting my students to deconstruct it could be a great classroom exercise. :-)
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An ugly construction indeed!
Date: 2008-11-19 03:34 am (UTC)I think you nail it when you say that "uglyism" implies that there some objective, agreed-upon definition of ugly. Even the most cursory cross-cultural comparison puts the lie to this.
I also think lots of the coolest women have an "ugly duckling" past. We either had to grow into our bodies (or parts thereof) ... or the men our age had to grow up enough to appreciate us in a world that teaches boys first to judge women by narrow standards. So here's to being at home in our flesh, and lucky enough to meet men who appreciate us as whole beings.
I'd prefer to repress the term "uglyism," but on second thought, getting my students to deconstruct it could be a great classroom exercise. :-)
Warmly,
Sungold