An open letter to the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch

A/N: This is my response to comments made by Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jefferies about not wanting overweight women to wear his brand.

Dear Mr. Jefferies,

You disgust me. After reading your comments about hating fat girls in this article, I am wholeheartedly offended and appalled. You have not only offended me, but you have offended every young girl who has struggled or is struggling with their weight. You have offended every young girl who is battling with low self-esteem because they feel threatened by these “beautiful, skinny” girls that you so target in your stores.

It took a lot of balls (even though yours are shriveled up like prunes) for you to declare that fat girls will “never be part of the in crowd” and that  you “market cool, good-looking people” and that including fat people in your market demographic would make your clothes undesirable.

Now, I understand you don’t carry XL and XXL clothes in your stores and the comments you made were probably strictly business, but you are sending the wrong message out there to fat and curvy girls who try their damndest to be the best that they can be. You have no right to belittle every fat and curvy girl in this country. How dare you? How dare you be such an inconsiderate, heartless monster!! Did you inject too much Botox in your puny brain the day you gave the interview?

Now, I am not your typical customer. I have never bought a single piece of crap in your store nor do I want to now. Yes, I understand that there’s a fight against obesity, but your comments make matters worse. Your comments about only going after the “attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends” will make girls go into downward spiral of depression, excessive peer pressure, and unhealthy consequences. By saying that, you are encouraging fat and skinny young girls to not eat very much. Your comments are encouraging diseases like bulimia and anorexia. Is that really how you want your business to be portrayed?

Let me tell you something about fat girls. Number one, I am one of them and proud of it. I have always struggled with my weight. I have been teased at times because of my weight and height. It hurt my feelings, and it took me years to finally accept myself as a beautiful person. Number two, fat girls are just as pretty, if not more beautiful and sexy, than skinny girls. There are fat girls that have great attitudes about life, are confident about themselves, and have plenty of friends. Fat girls are just as attractive as skinny girls. There are female celebrities (i.e.: Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy, to name a few) who are the epitome of the fact that true beauty doesn’t come from the outside, it comes from the inside. Let this be a lesson to every young girl out there: there’s nothing wrong with a little junk in your trunk!!

Clothing stores like yours should highly encourage girls with different body shapes and sizes to feel good about themselves, not exclude them because of their appearance. Appearance isn’t everything. A&F is not supposed to be a clique. Your comments are a classic case of discrimination, and it’s mind-boggling that in the 21st century, we have to deal with ignorant people like you (who are supposed to be beacons of hope and positive role models)  say stupid stuff. You make me sick.

I don’t know if you’ve had a scarring moment in high school that made you feel totally worthless or if you were actually part of the popular in crowd. Frankly, I don’t give a shit about your past. But Mr. Jefferies, you don’t know what’s like to be a woman. We women stick together. We are powerful, we are strong, and we are smart. We are force to be reckoned with.

In the words of Lady Gaga:

“There’s nothin’ wrong with lovin’ who you are, she said, ’cause He made you perfect, babe. So hold your head up, girl and you’ll go far. Listen to me when I say. I’m beautiful in my way. Cause God makes no mistakes. I’m on the right track, baby, I was born this way. Don’t hide yourself in regret. Just love yourself and you’re set. I’m on the right track, baby. I was born this way.”

I don’t expect you to apologize for your comments. No matter what you say, I can guarantee  people are going to boycott your store. I know you will never read this open letter. But if you ever do, let me give you the two pieces of advice: if you want to help the fight against obesity, leave it to the experts and put your money where your mouth is.

Unsincerely yours,

Rosie

 

Rising above the hate at E-town

I am and will always be a proud Blue Jay.

Four of the best years of my life were spent at Elizabethtown College. I will always regard it as my second home.  It was there that I was inspired by incredible professors, developed some long-lasting friendships by awesome people near and far, smelled the chocolatey air (which I ultimately knew it was a good day), was welcomed with open arms the very first night I spent on campus (thank you, Sarah Polite and all the peer mentors!), and gained the acceptance, confidence and independence to be myself.

My heart broke this morning when I read the news story that E-town had to call the FBI for suspected hate crimes. Apparently, some people have written words like “kill” and posting offensive languages in bathroom stalls and whiteboards outside of student’s dorm rooms.

Here’s the link to the story: http://www.wgal.com/Elizabethtown-College-calls-FBI-over-suspected-hate-crimes/-/9361174/19581230/-/r5cr6r/-/index.html#.UV2cpmeb6X4.facebook.

This is not the E-town that I knew and loved. This is not to say that E-town was like Pleasantville. There were some douchebags on campus from time to time, but for the most part I have never seen anything quite like this. This is a whole new low, and it needs to be stop right now! I am proud of my college for stepping up.

I understand that people have the right to express themselves, but they also need to learn to be RESPECTFUL of others when it comes to color, beliefs, and creed. We are sending the wrong message to not only the future generations but the future Elizabethtown College alums. There’s no excuse for ANYBODY to hate or judge someone who doesn’t share their personal views. My best friend from E-town has different religious beliefs than me, but I love her just the same because I respect her opinions and frankly, she’s an awesome person all around! #truefriend!

We may black or white, short or tall, gay or straight, but we are still perfect in God’s eyes. Let us all be accepting of one another. Let us all come together and help the students who walk the campus every day feel comfortable about being themselves. Let us give back to the college that gave us 4 years of fond memories.

We need to start up a conversation and engage in a discussion to make E-town better. I encourage all alums to Like the Alumni United for a Better Etown page on Facebook.

We are better than this. We are family! It’s time to rise above the hate.

 

 

Unspeakable Tragedy at Sandy Hook

I am at a complete loss. I have no words.

That said, it’s ironic I am even writing this entry. But the emotions that has been building inside of me all day has become too much for me to handle, that I find some solace in pouring my thoughts on this blog.

My heart is broken for the 20 children and 7 adults who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I mourn for the innocent people who did nothing wrong but go to school today. I can’t even begin to fathom what the parents and families of the students, faculty, and staff are going through tonight. Though I don’t know them, I weep for them. I pray for them. I keep them in my heart.

I am comforted by the fact that the small community of Newtown, Connecticut will come together  in harmony and cajole one another during this very difficult time, and our brothers and sisters of this great nation will join them in their own ways. We have dealt with a lot of tragedies this year, and it is unfortunate that this one had to occur a week before the holidays.

It was comforting to see posts on Facebook from parents saying that they hugged their children today,that they loved them, or couldn’t wait to get home to them. Children are one of the precious things on Earth that we should never, ever take for granted. They deserve to be loved unconditionally with great affection and care. They are our future and our light. Embrace your child every day, and I mean EVERY DAY! Give them the love they need.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in the Newtown community. So many lives are destroyed. So many people affected It’s so hard to grasp the scope of this senseless, despicable, volatile, incomprehensible act of violence imaginable.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on Earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

 

 

Why we should save Big Bird?

I know it’s been a while that I’ve updated my blog, and I will post another book review in the coming days. But I’d like to talk about something that it’s near and dear to my heart, which has become a hot-button issue for the past few days.

Many of you have probably watched the first presidential debate last week between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. In the end, the general consensus has favored Romney’s performance over Obama’s lackluster demeanor. Though I agree with the majority, there has been an ongoing debate among the political pundits and the American people over Romney’s narrative about PBS’s future, which has angered some people including yours truly.

According to Romney, he stated in the debate that he plans to cut certain programs like Obamacare (no surprise) and subsidies for PBS if he’s elected President of the United States. His exact words were:

“First of all, I will eliminate all programs by this test. Is the program so critical it’s worth borrowing money from China to pay for it and if not, I’ll get rid of it. Obamacare is on my list. I apologize Mr. President … I’m sorry, Jim (Lehrer, debate moderator and veteran anchor of the PBS NewsHour). I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I actually like you too, but I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it …”

I’m going to play the Devil’s Advocate for a moment. First of all, I’m glad Romney loves Big Bird. I mean, who wouldn’t?! Second and most importantly, it’s no secret that the United States is in debt. We are in a tremendous debt crisis that we’ve never faced before. According to the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. government debt reached more than a trillion dollars in fiscal 2012. The actual amount is $1,275,901,078,828.74 and climbing. We do need to tighten our wallets when it comes to spending. I don’t like the fact that we keep borrowing money from China, but it is what it is. However for the past 10 years, we have been spending countless dollars on wars, for example. There may be an instance where certain programs have to be cut, but killing Big Bird isn’t one of them. It is not the answer, Governor Romney.

The facts and figures to the left indicate why PBS is important in American household. One fact figure that is astounding is that more than 121 million people watched 500 hours of arts and cultural programming on PBS last year. Another amazing fact is that PBS ranks #1 for media content for preschool teachers. Educational programs like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Square One create a foundation for children for their love of learning and reading, etc. and for parents to spend quality time with them while they are expanding their minds. Why rob them of that opportunity?

According to a report recently published by Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance, students in Latvia, Chile, and Brazil are making gains in academics 3 times faster than American students. Students in Shanghai outscored every other school system in the world by taking international exams. American students ranks 25th in math, 17th in science, and 14th in reading. Will eliminating PBS greater the chance to bump USA up to #1? I don’t think so, Mr. Romney.

On a personal note, I am an example that public television is an asset not a liability. Sesame Street and other PBS programming played a significant role in my upbringing. As the daughter of Italian immigrants, I had a difficult time learning the English language as a child b/c we spoke and still do speak Italian in our household. I got held back in kindergarten because my English-speaking skills sucked. I was behind all the other kids b/c I wasn’t properly pronouncing certain words or constructing sentences correctly. It was frustrating. Television, particularly PBS, was a major source for me to step out of that comfort zone of Italian lifestyle. Watching shows like Sesame Street, Barney & Friends, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Reading Rainbow changed my life because it made learning the English language fun and educational and it laid the foundation for my love of reading and writing. If it wasn’t for PBS, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here in the middle of the night writing my convictions to this issue. So PBS, from the bottom of my heart I thank you, and I will continue to support you.

I guarantee you there is a child out there who is in the same boat as I was about 25 years ago. These 21st century children, especially the low-income children, do not deserve a total educational disadvantage. Americans should be investing in the future of all aspects of early childhood education. The reason we invest in public television is that it brings educational programs to people who might not have them. It is one of the best investments we’ve ever made to this country. The 21st century children are our next leaders. We could foresee our next president of the United States or our hero who finds the cure for cancer, etc. There is a large amount of students in our public school system that do not know who the vice-president of the United States is or where Texas is on a map, and cutting funding to education and educational programming is the right thing to do? There are other ways to lower the debt.

If I was president, my first priority would much rather be eliminating tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires who suck the life out of it than automatically expelling PBS programming. Forbes recently listed 400 richest people in America. I bet you if each of them would be willing donate $1 million to $10 million a year from their precious bank accounts to the national debt, I am sure the total amount would not be in the trillions. Come on, Oprah!! It’s like giving away a car! There’ll still be work to do, but the rich should not be getting off that easy.

Let me ask you this. Would you want the Kardashians or the Paris Hilton’s to teach your child the ABCs and the importance of sharing?? They would probably teach kids that, “A is for Armani, B is for Burberry, C is for Chanel, D is for Dolce & Gabbana … Oh Kim, shut the f*** up!!” Give me a break!

We face a deficiency in our problem-solving mechanism. Why does it have to be all or nothing?? Why can’t we just be bipartisan about this and come up with a compromise? I know we can. We’re just too stubborn because we  think that our own way is the right way. Listen, if we keep this trend going in our country, we are never going to come up with a proper solution, and the only people who are going to be educationally malnourished are the innocent children.

 

A blogging award? For me? Score!

I am very honored to be nominated for a Versatile Blogger award. Big thank you to my friend bookmaven623 for nominating me. I have to be honest here and say that I’ve never heard of this award. It sounded kinda fluky, but after reading the information on the website, I said to myself, ” Embrace it! It’s an award nevertheless!”

So I accept this honor with open arms! Here are the rules so that you can accept this award as well.

The rules: Tell 7 random things about yourself. Nominate 15 talented blogs. And finally thank the person that nominated you and include the Versatile Blog Image in your acceptance blog! You can follow this link to get the button to put on your blog: versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com. It’s that simple!

Random facts about myself:

1. In my senior year of high school, I dressed up as a Lucky Charms Leprechaun as part of a school activity.

2. I own more than 20 books about Jackie Kennedy.

3. I hate, despise, and loathe the existence, the taste, and the texture of peas.

4. One of my best friends and I used to stop whatever we were doing just to watch pro wrestling together every Monday night when we were roommates in college.

5. My name means white rose.

6. I LOVE Bradley Cooper, and I’m determined to meet him one day!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

7. I believe in the tooth fairy!! 🙂

My nominees for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. http://cjdawn.wordpress.com

2. http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com

3. http://simplystephanieblog.wordpress.com

4. http://nhwn.wordpress.com

5. http://hotrodcowgirl.com

6. http://creativenoshing.wordpress.com

7. http://chattygirlbookreviews.wordpress.com

8. http://foreveronreading.wordpress.com

9. http://theromanceman.com

10. http://bigredwordnerd.wordpress.com

11. http://tincantraveler.com

12. http://vernabowman.com

13. http://teepee12.wordpress.com

14. http://hannahackroyd.wordpress.com

15. http://officialmariavsnyder.blogspot.com

I enjoy reading these blogs immensely! Check them out and you will too! 🙂

 

In light of the viral video of the 68-year-old grandmother being bullied by middle school kids on the bus, my friend bookmaven623 has posted this entry in response. Bullying is wrong and unjust. No one deserves to be bullied, and for those who have bullied other people or are bullying: shame on you!!

Jackie Paxson

To the Bullies:

You stand proud amongst your friends as you sling slurs.  Slurs that berate someone for their appearance or for things that have happened to them.

You stand with your wall of ignorance and intolerance to support you as you tear down someone before the eyes of those cheering you on for more.

You stand looking down on those who are different.  Different in your mind, but to those who you’re looking down upon don’t find themselves very different.

You stand leaning on those chanting for you to keep going.  To go farther with the unbearable and the unthinkable.

While you stand, we sit and rise above your low blows and your low curses.

We rise to a level that you will never be able to achieve.  A level that is unattainable to you because all you can do is tear down and hurt.

We rise with our…

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Hello world, I’m a blogger!

Hey everyone!

Welcome to my blog! I’m so excited to start this venture. Since I’m out of work, I decided to try something new and still devote my time writing about things that matter to me. Things like pop culture, books, wrestling, and anything else that enlightens my brain cells. If you have anything to say, please feel free to leave a comment. I welcome them wholeheartedly. 

As always, it’s been said, it’s been done, it’s been real, it’s been fun! Peace!