How can something so beautiful represent destruction?
At the risk of sending any “triggers” out there, I’ve decided to publish the link to an eBay listing for a red beaded anorexia awareness bracelet to start a discussion. (I figure if you’re in the market for pro-ana paraphernalia, you’re going to find it anyway — and I’m sure most anas and mias don’t need my help.)
I must tell you that this as well as the sellers other bracelets and jewelry are quite lovely. If I saw someone wearing them, I’d surely do a double-take.
However, although the eBay seller most vehemently denies that these are meant as ”pro-anorexia”, I still wonder. I don’t doubt that the seller is genuine; I just wonder if these items won’t be used in a more destructive manner.
I shudder at the thought that some woman in the world is going to buy this piece of jewelry so she can feel part of underground society of people purposely destroying their bodies and health over an obsession/disorder from which recovery, though difficult, is possible.
What are your feelings on this topic?
I had a savvy Breaking the Mirror reader comment in a past post about ana and mia bracelets that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Sometimes a bracelet is just a bracelet. (My apologies to Freud…)
But I don’t think it ever hurts to know the subtle ways that anas and mias advertise their lifestyles to one another. And unlike all those plastic bracelets worn for awareness of a variety of causes, most anas and mias wear their jewelry pieces to secretly connect with each other, not to educate the public about eating disorders.
2 opinions for How can something so beautiful represent destruction?
Melon
Jun 7, 2008 at 1:55 am
No one who truly suffers from an eating disorder would advertise it or try and get others to do the same harmful things to their body.
I suffer from EDNOS and would hate to know that someone has fallen into this due to something i have done. However, i do wear an EDNOS bracelet. Not as a “pro-ana” symbol but as a symbol that others with an eating disorder can know they aren’t alone in this. I hope that in wearing it someone suffering might open up to me for support because god knows I’d love to have someone who knows what I’m going through to talk to.
I hope anyone who does wear one of these bracelets as a “pro-ana” symbol thinks twice before trying to connect to someone who does suffer.
An eating disorder is NOT a choice
Hook.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I agree with Melon.
No one I’ve ever known who is actually disordered would EVER wish that upon someone else.
It’s not fun.
We’re not trying to ‘convert’ people.
It isn’t possible.
Everyone I’ve talked to usually feels the same way.
Support and keep alive the ones who are already in this and try your best to prevent it.
We support those going into recovery.
The whole pro-ana movement is about reducing shame, fear, and possibly ED-related deaths. This isn’t a club, we just need support.
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