Those who know me know that I am a runner. I don't wear tutus when I run. I don't usually wear costumes when I run. Does that mean I don't like people who DO wear stuff like that when they run? NO. A great many of my friends do, and I think it's great for them.
After reading this article, I am absolutely FLOORED at the insensitivity of some folks at SELF magazine. I won't be buying that magazine again. Monika Allen, who is a brain cancer survivor, was contacted by the magazine asking for permission to use her photo, which shows her running in the LA Marathon in a Wonder Woman costume wearing a tutu. She was really excited, as anyone would be in that same situation, I'm sure. But what an unpleasant surprise when Allen learned what the magazine actually DID with the picture.
To quote NBC 7 San Diego's website:
The picture appears in a section of the magazine called “The BS Meter," with a caption that refers to a "tutu epidemic" and basically makes fun of the women's outfits, she said.
"A racing tutu epidemic has struck NYC's Central Park, and it's all because people think these froufrou skirts make you run faster," the caption reads. "Now, if you told us they made people run from you faster, maybe we would believe it."
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Magazine-Makes-Fun-of-Cancer-Survivors-Tutu-252560451.html#ixzz2xAsh6Qao
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How freaking DARE they??? First of all, she makes the tutus herself with her company, Glam Runner, and they donate the proceeds to Girls on the Run, a charity which I strongly support. If that's not awesome enough, the girl ran the marathon while being treated for brain cancer!
So screw you, SELF Magazine. Take your mockery of someone who DESERVES POSITIVE RECOGNITION and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
Wow, I am floored by SELF's insensitivity and lack of judgement. Just goes to show that bullying goes WAY beyond the schoolyard. Love your blog btw!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your statement! and the GOTR organization spends so much time teaching our your girls how to handle bullying, this is a prime example of time their training will be needed.
DeleteThanks C! I agree, it's downright bullying.
DeleteAnd Lisa, GOTR is a fantastic organization. Hope SELF puts its money where it's big mouth is and offers a donation.
That is so wrong on so many levels. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Kelly.
DeleteWow....thanks for sharing. Dis-honorable journalism at its worst. I am an MS patient doing my first run in June - I will be wearing my "not typical runner outfit" with pride and may just have to send it in to SELF with a big GO SCREW message!!!
ReplyDeleteYou GO Leigh-Mary!! Good luck in your run and please let me know how you did!! And share a pic of your outfit on my Snarkfest FB page!
DeleteReally? They ask for her permission to use a photo so they can make fun of her?!?! Brain cancer survivor aside, that little "making fun of me" bit ALONE would have me lit! And who do they think they are to mock what runners wear during races? A magazine that is supposed to PROMOTE nutrition and health making fun of runners in any way is abhorrent. There are no words to describe the level of RIDICULOUS that little piece has achieved. SMH....
ReplyDeleteThat's what gets me the most angry is that they are supposed to PROMOTE women's health, not tear it down. How dare they?
DeleteThank you for this article. I will never buy another issue of that magazine again. I am speechless! I just can't believe how ignorant some people are. I hope the person who had this idea is not raising kids herself and I hope Ms. Allen sues the crap out of SELF. Maybe it will cover her cancer treatment and further her goals with Glam Runner and Girls on the Run!
ReplyDeleteI know that the editor has apologized, I do hope they come up with a hefty donation to both her cancer treatment and GOTR.
DeleteI don't run. If a dog were to give chase I would try to pet it rather than attempt to run. However, if having a "fun run" with a theme, costumes, bubbles, paint, whatever - gets folks exercising, I say it's a good thing. I thought Self was a fitness magazine, but this sounds like a tabloid - so I tried to find the actual article (yes, I'm a nerd that wants to see things for myself) but can not. However, I found this interesting Yelp review of Self that says what I suspected - content going to the masses. http://www.yelp.com/biz/self-magazine-new-york Pretty pathetic.
ReplyDeleteIt was in a small section called BS Meter or something, so it's not a full article but a snippet with pics. If you go to the Glam Runner FB page you'll see some people have posted it.
DeleteI am disgusted.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Lisa!
DeleteThat's TERRIBLE. It's really getting bad when even the running "fandom" of this world starts judging one another and trying to take people down a notch...and here I thought that just happened with Duranies. (OK not really...I know better...but wow.) That's disgusting.
ReplyDelete-Rhonda
Sadly, even women's magazines designed to uplift and promote women reach the point where they are too good for the commoner and they resort to tearing other strong women down.
DeletePlease, please tell me that you tagged them in a tweet. This needs to be brought to their attention. I'll be boycotting until they issue a full apology as well. What a bunch of complete morons.
ReplyDeleteLynn, I did tag them in a tweet. The editor has issued an apology but I think it's too little too late. The damage is done and they need to put up or shut up.
DeleteExactly, Toby, it's shameful.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of research and they could have avoided this. What schmucks. #GoPhukYourSELF
ReplyDeleteIt really is lazy reporting, isn't it? They went as far as asking her to use her picture, but never told her they were using it to make her look foolish AND they didn't do their homework to see if there was a reason for her costume. I didn't actually graduate from college but I would imagine they teach "ask questions" in Journalism 101, right? #MyDumbassIsSmarterThanSELF
DeleteI can't fathom to believe how insensitive this is on their part. I work in publishing and media and know there are boundries of good taste, etiquette, and proper journalism. The fault also lies with the publisher and print director who approved the use of the picture for this section. Idiots over there for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is absolutely so wrong: that they didn't do their research, that they would make fun of *anyone* like that, that they basically mislead her when they got her permission. It's all so horrible. I won't read them either.
ReplyDeleteThat is unbelievable! What an awful thing to do! She should have been informed in advance in order to make a clear decision. Sure, SELF is not legally required to do that, but I would have thought the management there would have required it anyway. Very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThis really bothered me too. I'm also a runner...I don't read SELF and I don't plan to now. Shame on them for misleading her on why they wanted the picture! It's terrible. Really leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
ReplyDelete