As many of us know Urban Outfitters is no stranger to controversy. From their appropriation of Native American (specifically ‘Navajo’) arts and crafts to their insensitivity of mental health issues, the retail giant is constantly pushing the limit, but this time they have gone too far, for me. Urban Outfitters recently designed and marketed a graphic t-shirt that reads “Eat Less” as you can see in the image below.

When I first saw this image I could not believe my eyes. How in the world can anyone think that selling a shirt with a pro-anorexia message on it is acceptable? As someone who has struggled with this disease, and who is currently in recovery, I know just how damaging this image and these words can be in ones journey to regaining health and happiness. Fortunately, though I am not alone in my disgust. Sophia Bush, an actress as well as a strong promoter of healthy body images for young girls, has waged war on Urban Outfitters. In her personal blog she calls out the company as she writes,

““You should issue a public apology, and make a hefty donation to a women’s organization that supports those stricken with eating disorders. I am sickened that anyone, on any board, in your gigantic company would have voted ‘yes’ on such a thing, let alone enough of you to manufacture an item with such a hurtful message. It’s like handing a suicidal person a loaded gun. You should know better.”

In an effort to combat the horrific message that this tee holds, and to help fight the normalization of unhealthy body images Sophia Bush is encouraging us all to take a stand against pro-anorexia mentalities. I truly believe that her boycott of Urban Outfitters, as well as her continued support for those who suffer from this disease is inspiring. We need to look to Sophia Bush and others who share her viewpoint as role models and not individuals, like Kate Moss, who coined the awful phrase, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” FYI Ms. Moss nothing feels better than being healthy and happy, not hungry and emaciated…that I DO know.

So as I’ve said before, but often must remind myself since it is the nature of the disease, that 0 is in fact not a size, 0 is nothing and when you are striving for that size you are equating your self worth to absolutely nothing. o is unmeasurable so why the heck do so many of us want to get there? It really makes no sense.

0 IS NOT A SIZE. Support the cause 🙂