Black and White Bulimia

Study: Black Girls 50% More Likely to be Bulimic than Whites

December 7, 2009 By Pia

"By Tamika Thompson from Tavis Smiley-PBS

In 2005, The New York Times published an article called “Blacks Join the Eating-Disorder Mainstream.” The article explained that “more blacks and other minorities have been seeking help from eating disorder clinics” and that “[n]o reliable numbers exist for how many minority women suffer from eating problems, but experts suspect that cases are increasing.”

Yesterday, I shared my conversation with Stephanie Covington Armstrong, author of Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat, whose story of struggle to overcome childhood trauma, as well as an eating disorder that she developed in adulthood, serves as a cautionary tale to those who think that bulimia doesn’t impact members of the African American community.

Today, I wanted to share my conversation with Michelle Goeree, a USC economics professor, who, along with researchers from the University of Maryland and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, published “Caught in the Bulimic Trap?”

Their study found that African American girls are 50% more likely to be bulimic than white girls and that girls from low-income families are more likely to be bulimic than girls from middle- and high-income families.

Goeree says those results surprised her.

“Prior to this research, we also held the popular conception that eating disorders (and bulimia) were more common among girls from white, mid-to-high income families,” Goeree says.

“We were less surprised after we realized that insurance may not cover the expensive doctor visit where a girl with an eating disorder gets diagnosed,” she adds.

“If two girls both suffer from bulimia nervosa, but one is from a low-income family and the other from a high-income family, which girl is most likely to be diagnosed if it requires a visit to the expensive psychiatrist?” Goeree asks.

“Girls who are African American and/or come from low-income families are much less likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder conditional on having an eating disorder,” Goeree says.

In other words, we all have the idea that bulimia impacts middle-class white girls because they are more likely to receive the diagnosis when, according to the study, African American girls are more likely to exhibit and persist in bulimic behavior…"

Article is from Adios Barbie, www.adiosbarbie.com.

To read more click this link: http://www.adiosbarbie.com/study-black-girls-50-more-likely-to-be-bulemic-than-whites/

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place." Psalm 139:14 

Twin Girl Miraculously Survives an Abortion

This is an incredible story of a young woman Clair Culwell, now in her 20's, telling how she survived her mother's abortion. 


Incredible video from CBN: (video is not graphic)


http://www.godvine.com/Twin-Girl-Miraculously-Survives-an-Abortion-189.html

(Picture is of a premature baby born at 23 weeks released to go home. This is one week before the cut-off for abortions.)

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb....When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16

Planned Parenthood Busted

Undercover Sex Videos 2/3/11

Planned Parenthood had to fire workers who were enabling underage sex trafficking.

..."The undercover videos bear similarities to those that united lawmakers in opposition to low-income advocacy group ACORN. The New Jersey Planned Parenthood video showed a couple walking into the 

Perth Amboy clinic for help with their "sex work."

The man in the video can be heard explaining to the Planned Parenthood employee that his "girls" -- some of whom he describes as being 14 or 15 years old and illegal immigrants -- need to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. He also inquires about abortion services.

After initially telling the couple that Planned Parenthood is "obligated" to report certain information about minors, the employee says she "doesn't want to get anyone in trouble." She pulls out a piece of paper and refers them to what is apparently another clinic for abortion services.

"You never got this from me," she says. "If they're 14 and under, just send them right there if they need an abortion. ... Their protocols aren't as strict as ours."

The employee said her clinic wants "as little information as possible" and later tells the couple to come talk to her if there are any problems. She urges any underage girls to lie about their age.

"Worse ever comes to worst, you guys come see me," she says. "I'll jump in ... with nobody looking. ... That's why you come and ask for me only."...

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/03/undercover-sex-work-videos-fuel-congressional-campaign-planned-parenthood/#ixzz1GCt7aF79

Love Letter From God

If you have ever felt that God is distant and angry you might want to listen to this:

http://www.fatherlovestheworld.com/masters/audio/English_FLL.mp3

Afghan Women and The War

Afghan women are desperately afraid that once the US and the UK pull out of the war, things will get really bad for them. They are already experiencing, bombings of female schools, abuse and rape.  Here is a portion of a long article regarding this current event:


Afghan Women Fear For the Future 2/4/11


"Samira Hamidi, director of the Afghan Women's Network – an umbrella organisation for more than 600 women's rights groups and NGOs – has also noticed this increasing lack of interest and fears that once the troops pull out, the west will turn its eyes away from Afghanistan, even though "the insurgents still kill children, they still put poison in the food of school girls, they throw acid in the face of school girls, they burn schools. They still exist."

"Something most American male politicians have said – 90% of them – is that it's just their culture and we can't do anything about it," adds Salbi.

Deniz Kandiyoti of the School of Oriental and African Studies' gender studies department disputes these claims that the culture is to blame. "These people have been tossed to the wind and displaced, the old society has been eroded. Girls being given away to pay for opium debts, that's hardly traditional. Now it is the people with the guns, the money, and the drugs runners who have power," she says.

Few would argue that improvements have been made in women's rights in the last decade. On a recent visit to the UK, Hussan Ghazanfar, Afghanistan's minister for women's affairs, outlined the progress made: 57% of women and girls now go to school, and 24% of health sector workers and 10% of the judiciary are female.

Yet activists say improvements are patchy and far from ideal – with healthcare, social care and freedom unavailable to many poverty-stricken rural women, many already living in Taliban-controlled areas. Even Ghazanfar admits: "Life is different in the countryside – the literacy level is different, traditional customs are stronger, and women have no financial or economic freedom there."

Hamidi says most women she speaks to "are tired of war and killing", and fearful of the future. "If the situation goes bad again the women here have nowhere to go."...

20 Female Schools Bombed

Yet Rachel Reid, Human Rights Watch's Afghanistan researcher, says: "There may be some low-level Taliban leaders who negotiate with communities that want girls' education, but there is no evidence to suggest that the leadership has done a U-turn."

She points out that the ministry's own statistics show that 20 girls' schools were bombed or burned down between March and October 2010. At least 126 students and teachers were killed in the same period – an increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, night letters – missives containing terrifying threats – are still being sent to working women in Taliban-controlled areas. One sent to a teacher in a girls' school read: "We warn you to leave your job as a teacher as soon as possible otherwise we will cut the heads off your children and shall set fire to your daughter."

Suicide, Forced Marriage, and Rape

President Hamid Karzai's government has traded women's rights for political power in the past. The Shia personal status law in 2009 was only toned down after women took to the streets in protest, sparking an international outcry. If implemented it would have meant women from the Shia minority sect could not leave their homes without their husband's permission or refuse them sex – making rape within marriage effectively legal. Other campaigners point to the president's pardoning of two men sentenced by the supreme court for brutally gang-raping a woman in public.

The Taliban are not the only group in Afghanistan keen to destroy women's rights, says Nemat. "Westerners think the only enemy Afghan women have is the Taliban, and when they go we will be liberated. But Afghan women have many men who are scared of women having power. These are warlords, conservative clerics, many powerful authorities sitting in key government positions."

In this anti-female environment violence against women in general is rising daily, fuelled by the war, the poverty it brings, and the conservative values it leaves behind, according to Hamidi. Refuges are attacked in the media, while anecdotal evidence suggests that self-immolation, domestic violence and suicide among women are increasing.

In December, a UN report on "harmful traditional practices" revealed that 57% of Afghan marriages are child marriages (where one partner is under the age of 16) and cited the case of an orphaned 13-year-old girl who was bought by a 65-year-old man for $3,000 (£1,895).

Then there are the honour killings and the fact that women and girls who run away – to escape forced marriages or violence – are often arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned, usually under a charge of attempting to commit zina (sex outside marriage)."

Guardian.co.uk article posted on "Women for Women International". Original Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/04/afghan-women-fears-for-future

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is not mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Rom. 12:18-19

International Women's Day 3-8-11

Today Is International Women's Day

Let's celebrate together just how far women rights have come, but also remember how far we must go.

U.S. Hillary Clinton congratulates on International Women's Day

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has congratulated the international society with the International Women's Day stressing the important role of women in the present-day world.

"March 8th is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day... The United States continues to make women a cornerstone of our foreign policy. It's not just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing. Women and girls drive our economies. They build peace and prosperity. Investing in them means investing in global economic progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for everyone - the world over," she said.

International Women's Day, based on National Women's Day in the U.S., was first proposed in 1910 by Clara Zetkin, an influential socialist German politician and a fighter for women's rights. Zetkin intended it as a call to women around the world to battle for equal rights.

"So let us mark this day by finding ways to ensure women and girls' access to education, healthcare, jobs, and credit, and to protect their right to live free from violence," Clinton added."

Article by: RIA Novosti

"Statistics of Inequality" According to Barack Obama's Speech

• Women earn 77 cents for every $1 men make.
• 1 in 4 women suffer Domestic Violence at some point in her life.
• Women are over half of the population but make up only half of the seats in congress.
• Women make up less than 3% of fortune 500 company CEO's.

"If you do the same work as a man, you ought to get paid the same wage as a man."

To watch Obama and Michelle's Woman's Day Speech:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/honor-international-women-s-day

You Teach People How to Treat You

"If you feel people use you, take advantage of you, or break their promises to you, then you need to make some new choices. No one wants to be victimized, but victims often don't know how to get out of their rut. They don't understand that they have taught people to treat them poorly by the poor treatment that they have accepted in the past.

I used to work for an employer who often asked me to work six or seven days a week on a very meager salary. I really needed the job because I was a single parent at the time. However, as much as I did not want to lose my job, there came a time when I needed to stand up for myself. My fear-based behavior acted as a lightning rod for my corporate bully boss. I took a big risk as I firmly but politely set limits with how often I would work overtime. Fortunately for me, he backed down.

Learn to Value Yourself

• One of the easiest ways to learn to value yourself is to learn assertiveness training. When you assert yourself, you speak your truth in a kind, calm, mature manner.
• Ask yourself, "Is this relationship a two-way street? Am I getting as much as I'm giving?" If not, time to re-think your relationships. You deserve to be treated with as much respect as what you give to others.
• Determine your boundaries. Where do you draw the line? Claim your power so that you don't feel victimized. Being a doormat is a self-destructive habit that can be changed.
• Remember that every adult relationship is voluntary. Yes, I said every relationship. You get to determine how close you want to be with your sister, parent, spouse, neighbor, or boss. To a large extent, you also determine the quality of the relationship.
• Be good to yourself. Be as kind to you as you are to others.

Becoming Your Own Best Friend

When you start treating yourself as if you are  fabulous, terrific, and wonderful, you  don't allow others to walk on you. When you start believing that you're a magnificent limited edition of one--unique in every way,  you put out a different energy in relationships.

If this is something that you can't believe right now, then becoming your own best friend is really important. Because if you feel good about yourself  then other people will treat you with respect.  Remember: we teach people how to treat us by how we treat ourselves."

Article by Kathie Keeler from TGCOY

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself..." Phil. 2:3

Life of Rest vs. Life of Performance

Rest is No Joke


I consider myself one of the least qualified to write about rest. This is something that does not come easy to me. Rest is something I have had to work at. It is not just an action, but rather a concept, a lifestyle that I have had to learn over time. 

Two and a half years ago, I contracted Mono from drinking after a friend. Little did I know that I would be sick for a whole year after that. That's right, for an entire year, it took literally everything in me just to get up and go to the bathroom. This was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through physically and emotionally. I learned two valuable things that year: 1) Don't ever, ever, under any circumstances drink after people. 2) I learned to rest. 


Through forced rest, I finally understood that who I am is not based on what I can produce. I learned to love myself for who I am, rather than what I can do or not do.  I began to see that there is nothing I can do that will make God love me more or less. It was through living a life of striving and performance that stress would come. No more. Thanks to an entire miserable year of laying around on the couch and skipping out on fun social events, I have learned a beautiful secret to a happy life. 

Rest Requires Stopping

The Sabbath (rest) was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. God created rest to benefit us. It is easy to fill our days with business and busyness. There will always be something to do...laundry, expense reports, dinner, yard work, etc. True rest requires stopping.  For some of us, true rest requires practice and discipline. 

I suggest that you take 24 hours and play. This is one day a week that you are not working, or  cleaning the house even. "I don't have that kind of time," you say. Well perhaps you don't now, but maybe you need to make the time. This is about loving yourself. I know, this is still hard for me, but I know that it makes a big difference in my whole life if I set aside time for rest. 

We all need refreshment. If this is something that does not come natural to you, then give yourself grace. Give yourself some time to learn how to rest. Disconnect from work. Turn off the TV and perhaps even your blackberry. Get quiet. At first it will feel a bit strange. You may even feel withdrawal symptoms at first. But when your hand  begins to twitch, remember there is something so beautiful about quiet rest. 

Perhaps you will want to read a book or magazine. Maybe working in the yard is actually more restful, than work for you. Play with your kids or your pet. Go for a walk and spend time outdoors. Take this time to pray, meditate, and refresh your spirit. If you do, I guarantee you will be more productive throughout the rest of your week.


"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Gen. 2:2

You Don't Have to Be Superwoman

It is clear that there are many sad and devastating things in this world. I realize that most of my postings can be a bit heavy and even sad. The purpose of this blog is to educate and inform you of current events. It is also to inspire you to make a difference in your sphere of influence, no matter what that sphere is.

When you read about what is going on in the world, or when you hear something on the news, I hope your spirit is not bogged down by what is happening, but rather inspired to make a difference somehow. I realize that some of you are working full-time, or perhaps you are working full-time as a mother of a little one. So how can you make a difference?

While you may not be able to drop everything and hop on a plane to some third world country, you can still make a change right where you are. Do not underestimate the influence you can have on those around you. Whether it's the checkout girl at Wal-Mart, your hairdresser, or a friend you are meeting for lunch, you can make a dramatic impact on their life. You may not have access to a committed mentoring relationship with that person, but you will have at least a moment or two. That is all you need.

Perhaps you can give that tired looking woman at the store a compliment. Perhaps you can ask the young girl sitting next to you about what is going on in her life. Sometimes just taking the time to listen and showing that you care can mean the difference between someone having a bad or a good day.

Maybe there is a local non-profit you would consider volunteering at every other week. Or if you don't have the time, maybe you would prefer to give financially to a cause you desperately believe in. Even if its a small amount, you never know what impact you could make on someone's life.

Remember, you don't have to be Superwoman, you just have to make an effort. If you have the time and recourses to go somewhere incredible and volunteer then go! But you don't have to dress wounds at the nearest local disaster in order to make a difference. Just showing love and encouraging those around you can make the world a better place one woman at a time.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called trees of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Is. 61:1-3

Poor and Needy

"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. 

Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with  them." Mother Teresa

Women, Poverty & Economics

"Women bear a disproportionate burden of the world’s poverty. Statistics indicate that women are more likely than men to be poor and at risk of hunger because of the systematic discrimination they face in education, health care, employment and control of assets. Poverty implications are widespread for women, leaving many without even basic rights such as access to clean drinking water, sanitation, medical care and decent employment. Being poor can also mean they have little protection from violence and have no role in decision making.

According to some estimates, women represent 70 percent of the world’s poor. They are often paid less than men for their work, with the average wage gap in 2008 being 17 percent. Women face persistent discrimination when they apply for credit for business or self-employment and are often concentrated in insecure, unsafe and low-wage work. Eight out of ten women workers are considered to be in vulnerable employment in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with global economic changes taking a huge toll on their livelihoods.

The current financial crisis is likely to affect women particularly severely. In many developing countries where women work in export-led factories, or in countries where migrant women workers are the backbone of service industries, women’s jobs have taken the greatest hit. The International Labour Organization estimates that the economic downturn could lead to 22 million more unemployed women in 2009, jeopardizing the gains made in the last few decades in women’s empowerment.

In many countries, however, the impact goes far beyond the loss of formal jobs, as the majority of women tend to work in the informal sector, for example as domestics in cities, and do not show up in official unemployment numbers. Economic policies and institutions still mostly fail to take gender disparities into account, from tax and budget systems to trade regimes. And with too few seats at the tables where economic decisions are made, women themselves have limited opportunity to influence policy.

UN Women’s Approach

Advancing women’s economic security and rights has always been a core UN Women priority. UN Women supports women to reshape conditions at both ends of the economic spectrum — from boosting women’s participation in economic policy-making to supporting efforts to provide women and their communities with practical skills needed for securing sustainable livelihoods."

Article by UNIFEM. 

Original link: http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/women_poverty_economics/

"Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Matt. 5:3

Sexual Harassment In The Workplace

"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court made employers more liable for sexual harassment of their employees.  Moreover, 

The Society for Human Resource Management has reported  that 62% of companies now offer sexual 

harassment prevention training programs, and 97% have a written sexual harassment policy.

Below is a brief listing of recent harassment statistics.  However, it is important to point out that these only discuss formal complaints, and that the vast number of sexual harassment situations go unreported.

A telephone poll by Louis Harris and Associates on 782 U.S. workers revealed:

• 31% of the female workers reported they had been harassed at work
• 7% of the male workers reported they had been harassed at work
  
• 62% of targets took no action
  
• 100% of women reported the harasser was a man

Of the women who had been harassed:

• 43% were harassed by a supervisor
  
• 27% were harassed by an employee senior to them
  
• 19% were harassed by a coworker at their level
  
• 8% were harassed by a junior employee

Sexual harassment is unwanted and  unwelcome behavior, or attention, of a sexual nature that interferes with your life and your ability to function at work, home, or school.  Sexual advances, forced sexual activity, statements about sexual orientation or sexuality, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature all constitute sexual harassment.  The behavior may be direct or implied.  Sexual harassment can affect an individual's work or school performance, and can create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment."

Information provided by: sexualharassmentsupport.org

Getting Personal


I recently received a letter in the mail stating that a case I had to file nine months ago with the EOC (Employment Opportunity Commission) has been denied.


I am sure you have seen those sexual harassment commercials on TV, and like me you probably always thought it would never happen to you. Unfortunately I was wrong. Out of respect for my previous co-workers, I will not disclose the name of my boss, or the name of the company I used to work for. Basically a while back, I lost my job because I confronted my boss about sexual harassment. 


Taking a Huge Risk


There were many things that he did and said that made all of us women in the office feel uncomfortable. In fact, I eventually typed up ten pages of various events of sexual harassment in order to file the case with the EOC. These included things that he would say to me and the other women I worked with. Keep in mind that this is a man in his 60's who seems to hire only young, white, females. There is a tremendously high turnover rate at this small company. In fact, I learned after accepting the job, that the year before I started, there were ELEVEN women in my position before me. I was there just under a year, and based on the high turnover rate I am surprised that I lasted that long. 

I prefer not to get into details, but finally my boss's behavior went too far. My husband was at the point that if I didn't say anything, he would have gone into my boss's office and would have given him a piece of his mind. The next day, when I actually got the gumption to talk to him about his inappropriate behavior, I was forced to resign that afternoon. 

Interestingly enough, there was a new lawyer on staff at the time who knew how I and all of the other girls felt. When we told her some of the things that he had said, she noted how disgusting he was and how he always stared at her chest. When I told her about his recent behavior, she recommended that I write every single word and event down dating each one, just in case I ever "needed it." So that is exactly what I did. 


Now, perhaps in order to keep her job, it is my understanding according to the paperwork I received, that the same young lawyer is currently representing him and his company. Do I judge her? Again, no. Who am I to judge anyone, unless I walk a day in their shoes?  I can tell you that I disagree with her contradicting behavior and that I don't necessarily respect this behavior. But she is just another woman trying to find her way in what often seems, a man's world. Each of us have had to develop our own coping mechanisms.


Loosing More Than A Job


On the day I was forced to resign, I felt as though none of my co-workers stood by me. I specifically remember asking one of them as I was leaving why she wasn't saying anything, and she pointed to the other girls and said, "They're not saying anything either." They had all talked about the inappropriate things he would say, and they would all say how uncomfortable he made them feel. Unfortunately, when it came down to it, apparently I was the only one willing to stand up to him about it. When I left that day, I felt not only shocked at what had happened, but shocked that none of my co-workers, people who I considered close friends, would stand by me. I felt ultimately betrayed. 


I understand now, that it wasn't personal and that each of my female co-workers had to make choices for themselves. Perhaps they were bothered enough to talk about it weekly (even daily) among all of us girls, but it didn't bother them enough to risk loosing their job over it. I am not in any of their shoes, so though I may not understand or agree, I do not judge them. Regardless, it hurt me deeply. A few of these girls were friends that I would hang out with outside of work. Friends that have had me to dinner at their house and vice versa. In this process, I not only lost a job and a paycheck in a crappy economy, but I felt that I had lost my good friends. I am thankful that my friendship has since continued with one of the women still working there, and two others who no longer work there.


The Result


So I filed a complaint with the EOC. Now, nine months later I am finding out that because there are less than 15 employees at this company, my case is being denied. Apparently there is a state law that says a company must have 15 or more employees in order for them to pursue your EOC case. Apparently it is not worth their time and resources, since it is not a big enough company. I have spoken with lawyers who have considered taking my case and would perhaps be great at representing me. This is something I have considered, but I honestly am glad the whole thing is over.  


For the time being, I know that it would be really easy to write bad remarks on this blog, bashing my old boss or his company. That is something that most women might do, but I have more integrity than that and I don't see any good coming out of it.  I ultimately have to trust that God is my defender.

Was It Worth It?

I have since asked myself if it was worth risking my job in order to stand up for myself. The answer is yes, without a doubt in my mind. Though I was extremely upset that day, I left that place with my head held high. I left with self respect. I had done something incredible, I had taken a stand. Not only for myself, but for the other women I worked with, and for women in general. 

Thankfully, now I have a wonderful job with an excellent company. I have an exciting stress-free position with a respectable company that I never would have had if I was still stuck working in that miserable atmosphere. My husband has stood by me every step of the way and though it has been anything but easy for us, financially and emotionally, I have learned a lot. Looking back, I honestly can't say that I would do anything different. Though I would never want to go through such a traumatizing experience again, I know that I did the best I could with the situation I was dealt and I feel an enormous sense of self respect.

I learned a huge lesson that day. I learned that though it is 2011 and we have come a long way, unfortunately women still have miles to go in the area of equality. I learned that in the workplace it still may be required for a woman to keep quiet and not rock the boat, in order to keep a necessary paycheck. I also learned that a woman can speak up for herself and risk loosing her job, but gain so much more in return.

I hope you are encouraged by my story. I would love to know your thoughts. (It is easy to post, all you have to do is click "comments" and post.)


"But God is my Helper. The Lord is my Defender." Ps. 54:4