Great and thoughtful as always, Jessica! On footbinding, though, the goal was not originally miniaturization but modification (first, to curve the toes back and perhaps simultaneously in other regions or at a later date, to narrow the shape of the foot). Miniaturization (the effort to create the idealized 3-inch "lotus") didn't take hold until the late Ming (16th/17th c) and wasn't widespread until the Qing. That footbinding was about beauty and body modification is undeniable, but feminist historians believe that the layers of footbinding's association with subordination and control were added after the emergence of the practice (as a justification) rather than the core reason for the practice to begin with. None of this changes your main point, but wanted to share in case you want to write about this again. Wonderful sources on footbinding include Dorothy Ko's book "Cinderella's Sisters" and her exhibit book "Every Step a Lotus."
Thank you for consistently pointing out the many ways gender and anti-Blackness are constantly performed and validated through the lens of capitalism’s definitions of beauty! ❤️
"ugly” feet have walked you through what sounds like a beautiful life.
I'm printing your entire response and putting it in my momento box.
Simply having the space to share all my feelings about my feet was helpful. Thanks for being smart and including perspectives and FACTS that I had not considered. If possible, I'd put a note saying my letter was edited for length. And even the word count only to highlight how empathetic and informed your response was.
Dang. I'll spare you more words beyond THANK YOOOOOU! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Once, a new flatmate was waiting for me at breakfast with a big grin on her face... I asked her what was up and she gave me a knowing smirk. "Have a gentleman caller last night?" she saucily questioned me. I looked blank. She nodded towards the enormous trainers by the door... I simply deadpanned her and said: "they're mine". Cue tumbleweed. (not really, we laughed about it!)
My feet are an EU 43, which is like a US 12 or something, so I hear this, hard.
I also married someone who is super into feet and he loves them, so maybe you missed a treat on that app, Jessica : )
Fascinating and sad. What I don't understand if small/delicate feet are the internalized ideal, then is why it's so hard to find narrow shoes???? Plenty of medium and wide widths out there. The clothing industry doesn't offer larger sizes and the shoe industry doesn't offer much for narrow feet. Heaven help a woman who is in a larger body with an AA foot.
Semi related: I miss The Guardian's (unhinged) comment section. I know many commentors were belligerent, but I also believe having am opportunity to discuss this column pushed readers to begin the work of deconstructing.
Great and thoughtful as always, Jessica! On footbinding, though, the goal was not originally miniaturization but modification (first, to curve the toes back and perhaps simultaneously in other regions or at a later date, to narrow the shape of the foot). Miniaturization (the effort to create the idealized 3-inch "lotus") didn't take hold until the late Ming (16th/17th c) and wasn't widespread until the Qing. That footbinding was about beauty and body modification is undeniable, but feminist historians believe that the layers of footbinding's association with subordination and control were added after the emergence of the practice (as a justification) rather than the core reason for the practice to begin with. None of this changes your main point, but wanted to share in case you want to write about this again. Wonderful sources on footbinding include Dorothy Ko's book "Cinderella's Sisters" and her exhibit book "Every Step a Lotus."
Thank you for consistently pointing out the many ways gender and anti-Blackness are constantly performed and validated through the lens of capitalism’s definitions of beauty! ❤️
"ugly” feet have walked you through what sounds like a beautiful life.
I'm printing your entire response and putting it in my momento box.
Simply having the space to share all my feelings about my feet was helpful. Thanks for being smart and including perspectives and FACTS that I had not considered. If possible, I'd put a note saying my letter was edited for length. And even the word count only to highlight how empathetic and informed your response was.
Dang. I'll spare you more words beyond THANK YOOOOOU! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Once, a new flatmate was waiting for me at breakfast with a big grin on her face... I asked her what was up and she gave me a knowing smirk. "Have a gentleman caller last night?" she saucily questioned me. I looked blank. She nodded towards the enormous trainers by the door... I simply deadpanned her and said: "they're mine". Cue tumbleweed. (not really, we laughed about it!)
My feet are an EU 43, which is like a US 12 or something, so I hear this, hard.
I also married someone who is super into feet and he loves them, so maybe you missed a treat on that app, Jessica : )
I wear a US women's size 11, but I'm 5'8", and somehow my feet blend in with the rest of me. No one believes my shoe size when I tell them.
My big ugly feet and l are feeling better after reading this. Thank you.
I completely get this. I say I have hobbit feet.
Fascinating and sad. What I don't understand if small/delicate feet are the internalized ideal, then is why it's so hard to find narrow shoes???? Plenty of medium and wide widths out there. The clothing industry doesn't offer larger sizes and the shoe industry doesn't offer much for narrow feet. Heaven help a woman who is in a larger body with an AA foot.
Semi related: I miss The Guardian's (unhinged) comment section. I know many commentors were belligerent, but I also believe having am opportunity to discuss this column pushed readers to begin the work of deconstructing.