Self magazine makes fun of cancer survivor's tutu?

[schitzengiggles]

Sorry if this has been posted, I didn't see it....

This is so disappointing to me. Obviously that was awful for this woman and totally disrespectful, but even aside from that. The general lack of support for women doing whatever they can do get healthy. If they have fun wearing a tutu in a race, and that helps to motivate them to run and helps them have fun while doing something active....I say go for it. Tutu power, ya'll!

www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Magazine-Makes-Fun-of-Cancer-Survivors-Tutu-252560451.html


A San Diego runner and cancer survivor says she was snubbed by a popular women's magazine that used a photo of her wearing a tutu to make fun of the fitness fashion trend.

Monika Allen says she was excited to receive an email from SELF magazine asking for permission to use a photo that showed her running the LA marathon dressed as Wonder Woman and wearing a tutu in an upcoming issue.

But when the April issue came out, Allen said she was “stunned and offended.”

The picture appears in a section of the magazine called “The BS Meter," with a caption that refers to a "tutu epidemic" and basically makes fun of the women's outfits, she said.

"A racing tutu epidemic has struck NYC's Central Park, and it's all because people think these froufrou skirts make you run faster," the caption reads. "Now, if you told us they made people run from you faster, maybe we would believe it."

Allen said the photo was "really offensive for a couple of reasons." The marathon came right in the middle of chemotherapy, and she says the outfit gave her motivation.

“The reason we were wearing those outfits is because this was my first marathon running with brain cancer,” Allen explained.

Another reason was that she made the tutu herself. Her company Glam Runners makes them and donates the money to Girls on the Run, a charity that sponsors exercise and confidence-building programs for young girls. She said she's raised about $5,600 for the nonprofit by making about 2,000 tutus over the past three years.

"I feel like we were misled in providing the picture. Had I known how the picture was going to be used, I wouldn't have wanted to send it,” she said.

Allen said she emailed SELF magazine Tuesday night. As of Wednesday afternoon, she had not received a response.

In a statement to NBC 7, SELF apologized "for the association of her picture in any way other than to support her efforts to be healthy."

"Of course if tutus make you run with a smile on your face or with a sense of purpose or community, then they are indeed worth wearing, for any race," the statement read.


This marathoner knows firsthand that a smile can go a long way.

“One little smile or an extra cheer from a stranger can really make things better," Allen said.

There are dozens of messages of support for Allen on the Glam Runner Facebook page. Allen says friends and customers have also sent letters to SELF.

[mainewifey]

I'm so angry for her I could cry. I'm disgusted at the thought of a magazine that is supposed to be about fitness and healthy lifestyles would publish something that disparages the efforts of anyone who is leading or trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. Shame on SELF.

[Susie]

$10 says the author of that article in SELF has never run a marathon.    Because really, of all the dumb things to make fun of?  That?  Really?

Get over yourself.  Or maybe volunteer at a marathon and get inspired, instead of armchair-tearing down people who do pretty awesome things.

[kams]

Yeah, really disgusting.

And, honestly, even if she did not have such an inspiring story, it is still outrageous for them to tear people down in that way.

[kams]

WTF is their statement "people wear tutus because they think it makes them faster?" Where did they get that information? MY BS meter is the one dinging, SELF!

[water*drop]

That's horrible. Shame on SELF.

[libbygrl109]

That is ridiculous. And their response to cover up their stupidity? Even worse.

[Deleted]

All other things aside, what a catty, stupid remark. When you add in heft backstory, it's seriously sickening.

[CallingAllAngels]

I want to share this on FB to shame SELF, and that's not usually my style. Disgusting.

[pixy0stix]

I'm in awe of the race picture, it's amazing.

[clseale]

Well then. What a bunch of stupid assholes. How does anyone (let alone multiple people at a magazine), think this is a good idea? The fuck?! Their response? Not helping!

[shorewife]

I'm quite sure no one running in a tutu thinks it is making them run faster, but they probably think it is more fun and isn't THAT the point of running?!

[emilyinchile]

Legally I'm sure they're covered, but it's really shady that they asked her for permission to use her photo in the magazine and conveniently didn't say "and by the way, we want to use it to make fun of you." I am not a tutu fan for myself, but I definitely choose favorite outfits for important workouts. I don't see the problem with wanting to look cute or just have something to make you smile while you're suffering! And that's to say nothing of the importance of that marathon to this particular person.

[moreace01]

Assuming SELF didn't know the backstory on the woman running, but the "Die tumor die!!" on her bib was probably a pretty good indicator. Perhaps they should have done a better job editing...

And like the rest of you, I don't understand why the magazine would be shaming anyone who is trying to be healthy. And having fun doing it. A lot of us like to wear things we wouldn't normally wear on race day. It's part of the fun. Get over it SELF.

[emilyj]

Mar 27, 2014 9:27:02 GMT -5 CallingAllAngels said:

I want to share this on FB to shame SELF, and that's not usually my style. Disgusting.

I did it on FB and Twitter.  They deserve to be shamed for this.  

[arch01]

They sure were quick to respond to the media inquiry but have yet to apologize to the runner...

[patches31709]

Mar 27, 2014 8:29:29 GMT -5 mainewifey said:

I'm so angry for her I could cry. I'm disgusted at the thought of a magazine that is supposed to be about fitness and healthy lifestyles would publish something that disparages the efforts of anyone who is leading or trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. Shame on SELF.

This. Forget that that she has cancer and makes tutus to support Girls on the Run; the fact that they're making fun of women running a marathon because they're wearing tutus is horrible. I don't think I've ever read SELF, but I certainly won't now.

[billysgirl07]

Mar 27, 2014 10:15:02 GMT -5 shorewife said:

I'm quite sure no one running in a tutu thinks it is making them run faster, but they probably think it is more fun and isn't THAT the point of running?!

Exactly.

[stinkerbell6879]

Ugh. This made me so upset. People run in all sorts of attire! Who has the right to judge anyone out there trying to be healthy AND having FUN!

[ebeth]

so, how is SELF supposed to know some random runner in a tutu has cancer?

I mean, feel how you must about the tutu mocking, but how is this different from glamour's do's and don'ts?

[Susie]

Mar 27, 2014 12:23:42 GMT -5 ebeth said:

so, how is SELF supposed to know some random runner in a tutu has cancer?

I mean, feel how you must about the tutu mocking, but how is this different from glamour's do's and don'ts?

Her name on her bib was "DIE TUMOR DIE," which you might think would cue some critical thinking on the part of an editor that of all the people in tutus at road races, maybe she's not the best pick to ridicule.

I get your point, though; I think the fact that she's a cancer survivor is somewhat of a red herring here.  I don't really think her being a cancer survivor aggravates what SELF did, I think it was pretty shitty regardless.

[emilyinchile]

I don't think SELF should have known she was a cancer survivor. The DIE TUMOR DIE bib is her friend's, not hers, although the potential take away still could have been "someone in this photo has a tumor."

It's a bit different from Glamour in that I think a fitness magazine should promote health in any form whereas a fashion magazine doesn't have that same goal to promote ugly fashions. But I do also think that it's just mean to call someone and ask to feature their photo and then use the photo against them, and if that's how Glamour gets its Do's and Don'ts pictures then I am opposed to that as well.

[moreace01]

Mar 27, 2014 12:23:42 GMT -5 ebeth said:

so, how is SELF supposed to know some random runner in a tutu has cancer?

I mean, feel how you must about the tutu mocking, but how is this different from glamour's do's and don'ts?

Like I said earlier, the fact it said "die tumor die!!" on one of the runner's bibs was a pretty good indicator that one of the women either had cancer or was running in honor of someone who did. They should have at least noticed that before printing the photo.

Glamour's do's and don'ts is usually around someone wearing something out on the street that is somehow inappropriate for that venue. I don't think dressing in costumes for a race is inappropriate for the venue - it is an event that is a festive celebration. One would also hope that a magazine that is promoting healthy lifestyles wouldn't mock people who were trying to be healthy.  

ETA:
Glamour also puts a bar over the eyes of the people in the Don'ts category so they aren't easily recognizable. SELF, if wanting to treat this photo the same way, could have at least done that. 

[emjacobs]

Mar 27, 2014 12:32:34 GMT -5 Susie said:

Mar 27, 2014 12:23:42 GMT -5 ebeth said:

so, how is SELF supposed to know some random runner in a tutu has cancer?

I mean, feel how you must about the tutu mocking, but how is this different from glamour's do's and don'ts?

Her name on her bib was "DIE TUMOR DIE," which you might think would cue some critical thinking on the part of an editor that of all the people in tutus at road races, maybe she's not the best pick to ridicule.

I get your point, though; I think the fact that she's a cancer survivor is somewhat of a red herring here.  I don't really think her being a cancer survivor aggravates what SELF did, I think it was pretty shitty regardless.

She is actually wonder woman with her name (Monika) on her bib, regardless I don't understand why the criticism of this at all.  Who gives a shit that people are wearing tutu's? Does it hurt anyone else that someone is in costume? No. 

[ebeth]

I can't read the 'die tumor die' on her friends photo, but agree that the editor should have noticed it.

I agree that it was shitty of them to ask her permission to post her photo and then mock her, but I don't think they are mocking her.

I also think it's kind of shitty for monika to be all 'OMG, SELF IS HATING ON A CANCER SURVIVOR' when come on. you don't even need this to be all 'SELF YOU ARE AN ASSHOLE' if you, in fact, perceive self to be mocking you.

they aren't even under the 'lame' section of legit vs. lame. they are in the 'not completely sold' section. which frankly, is where I would put running tutus.

that said, I didn't read their mission statement or anything but I don't believe that the primary objective of self or conde nast is to encourage health and/or fitness. they want to sell you shit. lots and lots of expensive shit you don't need. and they want you to buy it from their sponsors. So I don't see characterizing wearing a tutu while running as silly/lame/whatever/unfashionable out of the realm of SELF's mission.

finally, I don't think many runners read self anyway.

[mainewifey]

Mar 27, 2014 13:07:34 GMT -5 ebeth said:

that said, I didn't read their mission statement or anything but I don't believe that the primary objective of self or conde nast is to encourage health and/or fitness. they want to sell you shit. lots and lots of expensive shit you don't need. and they want you to buy it from their sponsors. So I don't see characterizing wearing a tutu while running as silly/lame/whatever/unfashionable out of the realm of SELF's mission.

In that respect SELF missed the boat on this one. They should have said tutus are awesome, all the cool chicks are wearing them, and they totes makes you run faster, and here's where you can get your own from our sponsors.

[emilyinchile]

Mar 27, 2014 13:07:34 GMT -5 ebeth said:

that said, I didn't read their mission statement or anything but I don't believe that the primary objective of self or conde nast is to encourage health and/or fitness. they want to sell you shit. lots and lots of expensive shit you don't need. and they want you to buy it from their sponsors. So I don't see characterizing wearing a tutu while running as silly/lame/whatever/unfashionable out of the realm of SELF's mission. 

Well, yes. I sincerely doubt that SELF's mission statement is "to encourage our readers' health, support them in their workouts and spread butterflies of fitness throughout the land." But I expect a fitness/health magazine to generally champion efforts to exercise and be healthy since that seems like the whole point for readers, even if the point for publishers is to make money. While I would expect and encourage an article against a dangerous fad diet/workout, I don't see any point in criticizing what people wear to exercise, whether it's runners in tutus or Crossfitters in long socks or barre class attendees in head to toe LLL.

I don't read SELF or any other fitness magazines, so maybe I'm totally off with my expectations, and this is normal. If that's the case, then I'll redirect my criticism away from SELF and toward the lack of a decent H&F-focused magazine that doesn't get caught up in stupid catty stuff!

[thom]

This girl is strong, awesome, and I feel for her.

On just the bare facts, I personally feel it is rude/ shady to ask someone to use their photo & not mention it will appear in a section like the "BS Meter."

At least this news story is getting lots of exposure & gaining support and followers for her "glam runner" company. If you head over to her FB page, you'll see she has a ton of support & comments. So the negativity of SELF actually has a silver lining in bringing awareness to her cause.

[mainewifey]

I get SELF free with my Race for the Cure registration ever year, and it's mostly the same recycled fluff in it week after week. There will be a good article every now and again, a few good work out moves to try or whatever, but it certainly isn't a must read.

The magazine that kills me is Women's Health I think. I read it at a friend's house every once in a while and I swear that their answer to losing weight is always, drink Vodka, not beer. It is in every single issue, multiple times. Either their editors are really big drinkers or they're in cahoots with Pinnacle.

[sadlebred]

I don't understand the whole running in tutu's/costumes thing, but whatever makes someone happy. I DO think that SELF didn't do their research and is paying the price with bad publicity--and that's a good thing.