Things to be angry about

Just two, 'cause I could carry on for a good, long while. I've been watching this past week and it's been pissing me off something wonderful. Let's see... first we have a "crime watch" which warns you of people known as TAGGERS who are ruining the world. Not rapists, not homophobic misogynists, not the police: taggers. You know... those horrible kids who run around with spray cans destroying private property?! I say hug one. Then go tag something! Oh and don't even get me started on the ritual humiliation 'treatment' of making them wear pink. Or the fact that all of them are described on TV as "having dark features", "dark haired". Racism and homophobia combined. As my grandfather would say: aho kaliyugam (behold the times of darkness).

The second is the number of programmes devoted to making people feel shit about their bodies. And that the solution to depression is sublimating your grief in starving yourself. I am not exaggerating, that's what it said. I can't understand how anyone is supposed to grow up in this world and not have a seriously damaged relationship with their body. One of pure, unadulterated hatred. And how much hard work it is to undo the insidious messages we hear. I find myself looking at myself funny because I've put on weight. Kilos that I lost because I was flat out depressed and couldn't bring myself to eat. And was complimented on having lost. Weird, weird world. And don't you just love the people who tell you that you should remain indifferent to these messages. Or act like being a feminist somehow inures you to the angst that the world heaps on you. Okay, so this is a rant in the making... for now let me say:

I am proud of and amazed by the women who strive to love themselves.
I am tired of and saddened by the effort it takes.
I am trying to stay sane.
Oh, and I'm staying bloody mad.