This image is disturbing to me. Not only because of what the girl looks like, how she is so incredibly small, but the fact that the girl on the other side of that mirror is beautiful too. No woman, girl, boy or man should ever feel this way looking at themselves. But what are we doing to help stop it?
What was your first thought when you saw this picture? What did you assume about the girl looking in the mirror? That she was weak, insecure, cared too much about what other people thought? Maybe not, maybe you thought that she was just going through a hard time. But unfortunately, too many people make assumptions like those above, about people struggling with eating disorders. It’s not possible to tell someone’s story simply by looking at them, and it shouldn’t be done in this case either. Assumptions such as “she cares too much what other people think”, “he’s fat because he doesn’t take care of himself” or “if she wanted help she could get it” are all things that people will think about those with eating disorders. But the truth is that this is an ongoing battle that shows itself whenever food is present. It can take many forms, anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, and it is hard to treat without help.
Let’s begin to get rid of those assumptions, let’s change our thoughts about eating disorders. The people struggling with eating disorders are not weak; they are not self-centered or egotistical. They are your friends, family and they deserve to not be stigmatized. There could be many reasons as to why they are struggling now; maybe they went through a traumatizing experience and this is how they cope, there are endless reasons. But those reasons aren’t as important as helping those struggling. The best thing you can do to help is if you see someone who may be struggling, talk to them and encourage them to get help. Offer to go with them for support if they need it. If you are fortunate enough never to encounter this issue, then continue to spread the word to your friends and family. Tell them about these stereotypes and let’s see if we can stop them. No more stereotypes, support instead.
Leadership for Social Change | Saint Louis University 
I really like the point you are addressing in this post. I have seen that image before and it is honestly horrifying. It is devastating to think people see themselves as anything other than beautiful. Our society has put too much focus on image and appearance and that has corrupted our view of beauty. As a society, we need to get back to looking past image and searching for the beauty that lives in a soul. I think bringing awareness to the issue, as you mentioned, is a great way to fight the media. If people stop obsessing over shows that show poor images, people will gain a new sense of confidence and beauty.
“No more stereotypes, support instead.” What a beautiful phrase. It was well put. I think this phrase, and the purpose of your blog post, can be applied to all aspects of life as well.
It can be seen that many disagreements in the world, whether it’s between individuals or nations, are often based on preconceptions and assumptions. I believe these assumptions are the basis of all discrimination – whether its racial, religious, or socioeconomic.
In order to create a truly fair world, the beloved community, we must first work to eliminate these preconceptions as best we can.
Rockyleng, I completely agree with your comments!!! People suffering from eating disorders or any from of disorders need our support. Assumptions, stereotypes and negative thinking hurt everyone involved. These false ideas that begin in the mind trickle into actions that lead to discrimination. In order to get rid of negative assumptions about eating disorders, mental disorders, disabilities, and stereotypes in general we need to begin with changing the thought process. We need to remember that behind every stereotype is a living breathing person similar to ourselves.
I love this post. I can tell how passionate you are about the subject from your speech, and this post. It’s incredible what girls go through, and you’re right, it shouldn’t be such a taboo subject. People talk about having OCD, ADD, and other mental disorders all of the time. Grant it, they might not have serious conversations about these with just anyone, but society shouldn’t “not talk” about something that is such a major problem. As actors, actresses, and role models of all sorts continue to get slimmer and slimmer, we must take extra care that the minds of the young girls in our society are not molded to think that just because they do not look like their favorite star that they are not beautiful in their own way.
I cannot express how impressed and moved I was by your speech, post, and video tonight. I completely agree with everything one-hundred percent. It is disgusting for me to think that girls and boys out there do not see themselves as beautiful or perfect in their own way. No one is genetically the same so why should we expect ourselves to all look the same as the impossibly thin models and actors we see on TV? It is this diversity that makes us all so unique and wonderful. I agree with Alli that as our role models continue to slim down, that it is essential to make sure the young people in our society do feel inferior because they do not look exactly the same.