Why I'm Pro-ana

Off putting, isn't it? Pro-ana. The term can incite a plethora of emotion, but I am definitely pro-ana. Please don't confuse pro-ana with pro-anorexia nervosa (AN). I wouldn't wish AN on anyone or bulimia nervosa (BN) for that matter. 

The literal definition of anorexia is having lack of appetite; therefore, anorexia and anorexia nervosa are different things. I define pro-ana as being for a general lack of appetite, in other words, I don't want to hunger for anything. To hunger for things makes a person vulnerable, in my opinion, and I'd never give up that control of myself.

I think it's important to look at the larger cultural meaning of what the media labels the pro-ana movement, which I also call, simply, pro-ana. As you know, there are millions of people in the western world with an AN, BN, EDNOS, or BED diagnosis. Still, we can not assume that all of these women and increasingly more men are behind this "movement." As a matter of fact, if you hang around forums or chat rooms, you'll find that a fraction of the people are suffering from the mental illnesses mentioned above.

Let's look at the term, pro-ana movement. The media will tell you that it's the plague of the internet, infecting the minds and bodies of young girls. We should be shocked, alarmed by what we see on "those" websites, they say. Appalling. Frightening. Disturbing. In agreement, the general public cries for pro-ana sites to be shut down.

At the same time, when I hear descriptions of pro-ana from mass media outlets, it sounds like a list of cultural realities. Keep in mind, I experience the world as a woman so I can not speak for any men. Cultural realities for women probably include:

• (constant) bombardment of images of excessively thin, mostly teen, models
• the message that fatties are failures
• the idea that women must deny their needs
• diet and dieting how-to's everywhere
• support groups for weight loss

My point is that we live in a pro-ana society which encourages thinness and rewards, with not much more than an accepting nod, people who are thin. Women are to strive for this success and be satisfied with it, a job well done. Congratulations, skinny bitch.

Sidetracked by weight and food issues, we lose focus on other, more important women's issues. Such as:

• equal pay for equal work
• rape prevention
• domestic violence
• affordable, accessible childcare
• education
• mentor programs for girls
• and so on

We, and by we I mean women in general...very general, are so anorexic that we deprive ourselves of our most basic needs and wants. It's expected of us. Countless women are emotionally starved and spiritually starved. It only makes sense to deny our bodies nourishment as well. How dare we want anything.

Pro-ana is a reflection of western society. Or perhaps it's the least publicized mass hunger strike in history. However you see it, get use to the reality of it. Pro-ana isn't going to be silent and it sure as hell isn't going away.

I'm pro-ana. If my life is going to continue to be undervalued, to be anorexic in its substance, my body is going to reflect that. It's part of who I am.