Rosalind Wiseman

One step forward, two steps back.  Lately it seems like each time society stands up to the media industry it is forcefully thrown back down, each time spiraling deeper into the abyss.

Over the past few weeks I have been in a profound “I give up” rut.

Inspired by my elementary aged brother, Tab, I emerge in a rant/rave fashion.

Rant.

A few short weeks ago I watched incredibly talented children provocatively gyrate on stage, performing an over-sexualized dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.” Rachel Simmons did a beautiful job of articulating this fiasco. I couldn’t even tweet the YouTube video because I didn’t want to contribute to other people watching it.

The latest season of The Biggest Loser came to an end and on the last show before the finale, the contestants ran a marathon (26.2 miles). I need to point out that I despise this show, mainly because I think it is humiliating, exploitative, the epitome of product placement, and portrays exercise as a sufferable punishment with the sole goal of losing ambitious amounts of weight. One of the contestants ran the marathon in a little over 4 hours, an incredible accomplishment. At “weigh in” he gained 2 pounds (not unusual while training/running long distances.) Bob, one of the judges, remarked, “How can you not lose weight and train for a marathon? They go hand-and-hand, running and weight loss!” Dear Bob:  Your comment is both uneducated and inaccurate.  Weight loss is a highly nonsensical reason to run a marathon. I hope there are not millions of mesmerized BL followers pounding the pavement for that purpose only.

Lastly, I was not feeling well and left work early one day last week.  While resting, I watched back-to-back episodes of The Real Housewives.  I felt even worse when it was over. I have blogged about them before and didn’t think it was possible for the show to get worse.  I was wrong. What a tragic and distressing excuse for reality television.  These women shouldn’t be graced with airtime. The show is a giant catastrophe. Money can’t buy you class and if you want a lesson on how to never act, watch The Real Housewives– any show, any season.

Rave.

The season premier of So You Think You Can Dance was last week and Megan Carter taught viewers a positive body image lesson when she brought the judges to tears with her beauty, artistry, and self-confidence.

One judge said, “You just blew every single stereotype so far out of the water. I hold stereotypes sometimes, too. You just schooled me.” Powerful.

Do you watch Glee?  If not, this is why Glee is important. *** I am referring to last week’s episode when Kurt’s dad kicks Finn out for calling his room renovation “faggy.” There was a lot going on in this scene, and it stirred up controversy on the blog scene.  Yes, it could have gone deeper, but as someone who spends 40+ hours/week with high school students trust me when I say the message was sent, loud and clear.

Lastly, Jessica’s daily affirmation is not one to be missed and will remain bookmarked for eternity.

Last Friday I went to Wrightsville Beach Elementary School to visit Tab’s 1^st grade classroom. I was the “mystery” reader and read my children’s book, Perfectly You.  Tab had no idea I was coming.  After his teacher introduced me we went to the reading carpet, I sat in the proverbial rocking chair, and began to read. There are numerous talking points throughout the book, but I always stop after “Believe in yourself. Be confident and true! You are spectacular! You are you! You have special talents. Some that no one else can do!” I invited the children to share their special talents.  I got everything from playing Frisbee, to “brushing my dog’s hair,” to pulling fingers (love 6 year-old boys.) Tab proudly announced that he loved to sing and dance.

Their viable self-assuredness and special talents reminded me of the innocence of that age.  It was a magic carpet vacation from intolerance, hate, and shame.

The next evening my family and I were eating dinner when Tab said, “Julia I want to sing you a song.” He stood up, paused, and then loudly busted out “Come on girls, you believe in love, cause I’ve got something to say about it and it goes something like this.”  He continued to sing most of Madonna’s “Express Yourself”, complete with jazz hands and dance moves.  And, no, he has never seen Glee.

After I choked on my adult beverage from laughing so hard (it was definitely funny) I looked at my “boys play with trucks-wear blue-and like dirt-grrrrrr” father, who watched, smiled, and said “Good job Tab.”  I thought to myself, one step forward.

***I feel the need to remind everyone that I watch cosmic amounts of TV solely for educational purposes.