Editorials:

What is the favorite part of your body? This ordinary question leaves the people of our society left with conflicted feelings of insecurity and self doubt. Simple tasks of getting dressed in the morning and primping in the mirror prompt us to judge ourselves every single day. These insecurities do not go unspoken. Fat talk seems to be inescapable, especially on college campuses. This week, however, a movement called “Fat Talk Free Week” is encouraging young people across the country to embrace positive things about themselves that don’t include appearance.

What is fat talk? Fat talk are all of those conversations we have in which we complain about the weight we gained, how last years wardrobe doesn’t fit anymore or how so-and-so should not be wearing that particular swimsuit. In essence, much of what we talk about everyday. This leaves young people everywhere struggling with

Students encouraged to end ‘fat talk’ this week

what is the ideal appearance.

According to research conducted by University of Colorado students, almost half of the women in our society believe their ideal weight is 20 percent less than what is actually healthy. These numbers make the topic of weight a heavy matter for people struggling with self image. Nevertheless, the topic remains to be popular among many college students, including males and females.

Can you imagine going an entire week without thinking, feeling or discussing your weight? That is the challenge of “Fat Talk Free week.”

Tri-Delta, an international sorority chapter, is promoting the “Fat Talk Free Week” to empower individuals globally to “take control over our own destinies, our own bodies and our own inner dialogues.” This movement is a big step in the right direction for college students to have not only positive academic and career goals but also a healthy image of themselves.

On college campuses, especially, where peers of all shapes and sizes surround us, we are more likely to obsess about poor body image. Most college students struggle with appearance on a day-to-day basis and we lower our self esteem because of our inability to see ourselves as attractive.

In addition to Tri-Delta’s movement, Cabrini’s Body Image Coalition provides many resources for students with body image issues. The BIC is student-run and advised by several faculty members who strive to “guide and educate all members of the campus community towards a lifestyle rich with body acceptance, wellness and support.”

The Loquitur sees this issue as something that is not often highlighted as a serious problem. However, by neglecting an epidemic of people hating themselves for what they do or do not

Our Mission Statement

look like, we are allowing the plague of fat talk to dominate our society.

This week, we urge all students to partake in this movement to help embrace the healthy ideal and engage in conversation that includes all of the great things about yourself that do not include appearance. Are you someone with poor body image and wish you could feel free? You can. If you or someone you know experiences body dysmorphia, or commonly feel the need to discuss weight and image in daily conversation, don’t suffer in silence. Contact Co-President Lisa Stockton at lms726@cabrini.edu or Co-President Rachel Wenzel at rew724@cabrini.edu to meet with peers and professionals who understand your concerns about body image.

For more information on Fat Talk Free Week visit www. bodyimageprogram.org/action/ or like their facebook page “FatTalkFree.”

Service offers graduates unique opportunities

Post-graduation opportunities typically involve graduate school and job searching. A Cabrini graduate, however, has the opportunity to commit up to two years of service work through the Cabrini Mission Corps.

The Mission Corps believes, “it is God who draws us together and sends us forth in mission.” Loquitur believes that through the Mission Corps and the college’s mission, we are called upon to share our gifts with brothers and sisters both in the U.S. or abroad and that such service opportunities are mutually beneficial.

The Mission Corps embraces “the personal conviction that our service in education, is the continuation of Jesus’ own mission of being an instrument of God.” We agree that by expanding your education through service work, you are able to help others, while finding your place in life.

For students who are nearing the end of their four-year undergraduate journey and still have yet to find their calling, time off may be something to consider.

In addition to taking a break from classes, traveling and learning about life in another world can add to not only your resume, but can help you discover what is really important in life.

The Cabrini Mission Corps office in the mansion can help you find that it is often possible financially and professionally to undertake a service opportunity after graduation. Different financial benefits include loan repayment, health insurance, and deferment. Many people who are interested in continuing their education after their service experience have the chance to win the Americorps Education Award that offers students grants to continue their education.

Would you be willing to explore what is really important within you for between nine months to two years by working with other similarly motivated people on projects that are meaningful? This is a challenging question.

If you want to explore possibilities either with our own Cabrini Mission Corps or the many other organizations, just contact Gina Pultorak Scarpello (cmcdirector@aol.com) who can help you research your options.