Today marks the first day of Women’s History Month. Horray, right?! 

Not really. And it’s not because I’m sexist or anything. I mean, I AM generally female in my gender expression, and I am biologically female as well. I like the idea of celebrating women and I understand the intent behind Women’s History Month.

However my main issue at the moment isn’t the average annoyance that there has to be a special month dedicated to women and their accomplishments. I mean it’s SAD, it SUCKS, I hate all that it implies and reflects about our society. I do believe we do not live in a post-sexist society. Inequalities still exist.

MY MAIN ISSUE is an oh so lovely coincidence that I noticed walking down Academic Row the other day on my way to class. At my college signs are stuck into the grass/dirt on either side of the foot path, advertising events, clubs, etc. All of a sudden dozens of signs advertising “Eating Disorder Awareness Week” are papering campus. They are fucking EVERYWHERE. 

Hmm…I thought to myself. Isn’t it WEIRD that EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WEEK COINCIDES WITH WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH?

What does this imply? What is the underlying message of this eerie coincidence? 

I feel there is a subliminal association between Women and EDNOS. And that pisses me off. Why? Because of two main reasons.

1. EDNOS is often seen as a uniquely female issue. It’s not. True more women suffer, but it isn’t just women who deal with these disorders. I don’t appreciate women being forever associated with diseases and conditions, which  frankly, have such a negative rap in the public sphere. Everyone LOVES to hate on the anorexic girl. Everyone LOVES to point fingers and blame the media and make it about wanting to be like some dumb bimbo. Well it’s NOT. 

I do not want the accomplishment and advancement of women to be associated with EDNOS. Most of all I do not want EDNOS to be forever associated with women.

2. Why do I resent EDNOS and women being linked soooo very much? Because the link serves to diminish the reality of the conditions. I feel like eating disorders are dramatized by society, turning them into some sort of morbid sisterhood of the traveling pants girly bullshit. It’s all because the media enforces standards of beauty that are unrealistic, or because  girls all want to be just like some celebrity. NO. Linking women and EDNOS together makes EDNOS seem less legitimate, less in need of understanding and tolerance. 

And I am not just saying this because I did some research and read some book. I KNOW. I have been dealing with an eating disorder for over TEN YEARS. It’s not some girly party. It’s not a choice. It’s not because I was weak and persuaded by the media or the man or the system or some stupid industrial commercial power complex. FUCK THAT. No. I am a strong, independent, smart WOMAN. I am not my condition. I do not want to be characterized by my struggles. I do not want my problems made into a purely female issue either. to do so both demeans women, and demeans me. I reject this.

I CALL BULLSHIT.