As everyone here appears to be very well educated on the government and the constitution I'm sure this serves as a review for the most if not all:
Amendment I:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
What I'm concerned about in this blog is the part I put in bold. There are many "pro-ana" websites out on the web. These sites aim to offer a place where people with eating disorders- mostly anorexia and bulimia but sometimes Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS)- can gather and, in effect, encourage each other. Most offer "thinspiration" where they post pictures of celebrities or people they know who are extremely skinny and are inspired by them. Some of the more crude ones offer pictures of extremely large people as a "reverse trigger" to encourage you not to eat. They include tips on how to hide your purges, how to lie if you have to go into therapy and things to do to avoid eating.
While I wholeheartedly respect the first amendment's right to free speech I have to wonder if these websites need to be shut down. Generally most sights have you agree that you are over 18 and understand the serious health risks that come with these diseases, but once you click ok you're in the clear. Obviously if you're really set on getting into the sight you're going to say you're 18 regardless of whether you really are.
I have not made up my mind one way or the other on these websites. What does everyone else think? If people's health is in jeopardy does this amendment still apply?
`lacey
I Just checked one out and that is really sick, encouraging people like that, read my blod about anorexia, I think they should probably be shut down, anorexia is a growing epidemic. It's just terrible. =(
As shocking as this is... its perfectly legal. Ultimately it is the people who click on the site link who are choosing to view the website content, just as I chose to view your blog. By doing so, I am accepting that I am willing to see whatever, may be said on the next page. As morally disgusting as this is, it is okay. I have also heard of sites that market things far worse... I think it was in a blog too, about bracelets like the Livestrong ones only with sharp plastic points made for people who self-mutilate. This is also terrible and I hate the idea of people capitalizing on others' problems.
Although it is legal it brings up the whole montra of the internet and Spiderman "With great power comes great responsibility."
I liked this blog it was well though out and well structured. Keep up the good work!
"Its all very well in practice but it will never work in theory."
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/daimler
Good Point, it is perfectly legal and it is announced that if you click on it, it's the viewers discretion, but its still kind of sick the way it is encouraged.
Caity =)
That is very true I guess you have to take the bad with the good. And thanks, I've been working with different ways to make my blogs because I'm so used to writing one big long paragraph lol
`lacey
There are no beautiful surfaces without terrible depth...
Me too! I've been trying my best to remember to include a teaser, before I couldn't figure out how to do it and then one of blogs, the one about using leftover AIDS medication to save people did it and then I figured it out. =)
Caity =)
Hi there. A year and a half ago I created a website called www.webiteback.com where people could recover from pro-anorexia. The site is populated by people who used to be on these communities and find it hard to leave. We are working on recovery together and are pro-actively positive in our approach, encouraging each other when we see a particular person struggling. Our Member Pics section is full of people several months to a year or more in their recovery, before and after. We glory in the beauty we are discovering in health. We do not allow thinspiration. We do not talk about numbers on the site if possible because it encourages competition, and we're trying to reverse ourselves OUT of that mindset.
And yes, most of us on that site used to be pro-ana.
Anytime a site was shut down by a free provider, three or more would start up in it's place. This went on for years.
By working together to help each other become healthier, happier people, we are doing all we can to encourage the world itself to embrace recovery and health. If we choose these things for ourselves.
People in pro-ana communities need to start seeing or given opportunity to see how their decisions and words influence others. You don't have to be famous to influence your friends for better or for worse.
If you want to sign up for an account on the forum (it's free), the content opens up for you to read and you can see what we have to say on any topic. You can see how we are all working in earnest to recover and be well, and positively encourage each other. If you have suggestions on how we can continue our mission of encouraging the world to recover from pro-ana, we'd love to hear.
Pro-ana sites keep people in their eating disorders. On We Bite Back, we're trying to keep each other and ourselves out. That's what we call "biting back"!
Peace,
Sharon Hodgson
www.webiteback.com
I think it is absolutely amazing for you and others to be doing that :) It really is inspiring and you may just find a new member on their soon. Keep up the fight
`lacey
There are no beautiful surfaces without terrible depth...