When individuals look in the mirror, they may not like who they are or see the beauty within. In today’s society, teenagers and adults are their own worst critic. Judging one’s self and comparing to the celebrities in the magazines is a common flaw that many people tend to do.
There is so much going on in the minds of college students and especially for women; the media and tabloids influence readers more than they think. What body size and image that is considered beautiful to the media is getting smaller and smaller. With this being a growing issue, Cabrini College is one that has addressed this issue and has created a club and a Living Learning Community (LLC) for students to become more aware of this growing issue.
“BIC is the Body Image Coalition,” Gabby Glenning, senior Body Image Coalition president, said. “The club sets out to promote a healthy lifestyle and body image among the Cabrini Community. When I took over the club as president two years ago, I was approached by the old advisor, Andrea Sussel, to take over the club. I felt that the message this club gives to the college community is an important one that should not be silenced.”
The advisors for this club and LLC are Dr. Michelle Filling-Brown, Chair of the English Department, and Kenneth Johnson, a counselor at Cabrini. With the club being founded in 2007 by Andrea J. Sussel, LCSW, it addresses issues and attitudes in society related to eating habits and body images that can exert undue pressure on college students to confirm to the thin or
“perfect” ideal.
The two current professors guide these students to learning how to love themselves and how to teach others to love themselves, as well. They have been in the program for almost a decade and enjoy being part of such an important topic that may not get all the attention it deserves.
“Our goal is to have a positive impact as well as to let people know that they are accepted no matter what their sexuality is, size, skin color, body type,” Lauren Stohler, sophomore Master Learner of BIC, said. “We believe that everyone is good no matter what they are, we want to promote happiness and that open door of acceptance.”
S tudents join this club because they can relate. Joining this club is not just like any other club. It gives the individual the open arms of acceptance and understanding.
“Joining this club was a great way for me to kick off my freshman year,” Betsey Comas, freshman BIC member, said. “With being a part of the Living Learning Community as well, I was able to learn more about myself and my insecurities, as well as others who go through the same thing. I realized it really isn’t just me taking on these inner struggles, others have them too and it’s very inspiring.
I am very passionate about body image and what it really means to be confident,” Stohler said. “At times ,many people feel insecure, even the Kardashians, they feel insecure about themselves too, especially always being in the public eye. Which is kind of ironic but no one is alone. I feel the key element to being happy in life is accept- ing yourself for who you are and thinking your imperfections are perfect.”
The club and LLC are the same group of students but always encourage others to join the club, as well. BIC holds their biggest event usually in the spring.
“Our biggest event that we hold is our Be(YOU)tiful Fashion Show which will be taking place this year on Sunday, Feb. 11. We are also co-sponsoring an event with the English Department where Jean Kilbourne is coming to speak on Saturday March 10,” Glenning said. The group also hosts many events on campus such as ‘Why do I feel fat in my skinny jeans?’ These things are brought to the campus to draw in people who are ready to talk about these issues.
The LLC and club today are all girls and that for Cabrini College is not so rare but body image insecurities and issues do not just come from women, men feel this way too.
“I personally wish I could see more guys join this club or come to our events,” Comas said. “I feel like bringing in more males will only spread this issue more. People tend to think these clubs are just for girls. The LLC is all girls but guys shouldn’t feel uncomfortable to come out and be happy with who they are too. Sexuality especially for guys I noticed is something that is hard to open up with and we are the kind of LLC and club that is not afraid to talk about it.”
With using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the club has been buzzing on social media to get their name and their message out there.
“Social media has a love-hate relationship with people,” Tiana Preacher, undeclared freshman BIC and LLC member, said.
“We love it but we use it so much and let it influence how we look at ourselves. This Living Learning Community that I am a part of has helped me see that you ‘gotta love yourself or no one else will,’ as my teacher said to us,” Preacher said. “If we are constantly judging or comparing, how can we truly say we love ourselves? Being a part of this LLC has made me see my imperfections and love myself because I am beautiful and so is everyone else.”
