Sociological Images reader Julie C. found this ad in a newspaper from the 1960s:
The text:
“If skinny, thin and underweight take improved WATE-ON to help put on pounds and inches of firm, healthy looking flesh. WATE-ON supplies weight gaining calories plus vitamins, minerals, protein and other beneficial nutrients. Clinically tested. Fast weight gains 4, 6, 10… as much as 20 and 30 pounds have been reported. No over-eating. Helps make bustline, cheeks, arms, legs fill out, helps put firm solid flesh on skinny figures all over body. Helps fight fatigue, low resistance, sleeplessness and nervousness that so often accompany underweight. Underweight children and convalescents can take WATE-ON. It’s a clinically tested, pleasant formula sold around the world. Buy some today and start putting on weight FAST. Satisfaction from 1st bottle or price refunded. At drug stores everywhere.”
Thanks Julie!
Another WATE-ON ad (year unknown, found here):
Here’s another brand for a similar product from 1943:
Text:
Girls with “Naturally Skinny” Figures …AMAZED AT THIS ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO ADD 5 LBS. OF SOLID FLESH IN 1 WEEK…OR NO COST!
New Natural Mineral Concentrate From the Sea, Rich in FOOD IODINE, Building Up Weak, Rundown Men and Women Everywhere.
THOUSANDS of thin, pale, rundown folks–and even “Naturally Skinny” men and women–are amazed at this new, easy way to put on healthy needed pounds quickly. Gains of 15 to 20 lbs. in one month–5 lbs. in one week–are reported regularly.
Kelp-a-Malt, the new mineral concentrate from the sea–gets right down to the cause of thin, underweight conditions and adds weight through a “3 ways in one” natural process.
First, its rich supply of easily assimilable minerals nourish the digestive glands, which produce the juices that alone enable you to digest the fats and starches, the weight-making elements in your daily diet. Second, Kelp-a-Malt provides an amazingly effective digestive substance which actually digests 4 times its own weight of the flesh-building foods you eat. Third, Kelp-a-Malt’s natural FOOD IODINE stimulates and nourishes the internal glands which control assimilation–the process of converting digested food into firm flesh, new strength and energy. Three Kelp-a-Malt tablets contain more iron and copper than a pound of spinach or 7-1/2 lbs. of fresh tomatoes; more calcium than 6 eggs; more phosphorous than 1-1/2 lbs. carrots; more FOOD IODINE than 1600 lbs. of beef.
Try Kelp-a-Malt for a single week and notice the difference–how much better you sleep, how firm flesh appears in place of scrawny hollows” and the new energy and strength it brings you! Prescribed and used by physicians, Kelp-a-Malt is fine for children, too–improves their appetities. Remember the name, Kelp-a-Malt, the original and genuine kelp and malt tablets. There is nothing else like them, so don’t accept imitations and substitutes. Try Kelp-a-Malt today, and if you don’t gain at least 5 lbs. of good, firm flesh in 1 week, the trial is free. 100 jumbo size tablets, 4 to 5 times the size of ordinary tablets, cost but little. Sold at all good drug, stores. If your dealer has not yet received his supply, send $1.00 for special introductory size bottle of 65 tablets to address below.
Vintage Ads posted another example:
Text:
If you are a normal healthy, underweight person and are ashamed of your skinny, scrawny figure, NUMAL may help you add pounds and pounds of firm, attractive flesh to your figure.
For NUMAL, a doctor-approved formula, contains essential minerals and vitamins that may aid your appetite. Then you eat more and enjoy what you eat. But that isn’t all. NUMAL contains a food element which is also a great help in putting on weight. So don’t let them snicker at your skinny, scrawny figure. A skinny, scarecrow figure is neither fashionable nor glamorous. Remember, the girls with the glamorous curves get the dates.
So start NUMAL today…
Taylor D. sent in this add for Wate-On (found here), which targets African American women:
Lauren McGuire spotted this ad (at Vintage Ads, via Jezebel):
The Game “Coming Out” as a Christian?!
Well I just came across a blog post that came from BET Gospel personality Torrence Glenn stating that West Coast Rapper “The Game” has publicly professed that he is officially Born Again (to God be the glory). Me, I am very glad to hear this. To know that one of my biggest influences in Rap has joined the “Body of Christ”. However, I said the same thing about Pastor Mason “MA$E” Betha too. When I finally found out lol.
I think that this could be wonderful for the kingdom. Hopefully he will turn from the world and not use this as a publicity stunt to get “church fans”… Hopefully the leaders in his church will help build him up in the faith, rightly dividing the word in the process. I can go on because Satan tends to use a lot of “famous converts” tend to bring confusion in to the body.
I’m not going to judge or say that Game is claiming Jesus “to get his career Saved” (even though “The R.E.D. Album” is critically acclaimed, I’m not quite sure what the numbers are). I will say that his Pastors and Grandmother need to treat this situation w/ great delicacy with help from the Holy Spirit. Because of his influence, Satan is going to work extra hard to use that to try and give fatal blows to the body. So I hope the Local Church leaders, properly build him up in the word and not just have him there to draw members (meaning money). I’ll pray for the brother and will welcome him to the family.
Check out the original post:
Sup folks! So I’m typing this post from sunny L.A., (ok, not so sunny…) where I spent the weekend as a presenter and host for Darnell Davis & The Remnant (my favs) One Voice Conference. Last night (Sunday), after the conference was over, those of us who remained in town went to the well known City Of Refuge Church pastored by Bishop Noel Jones for their annual Back To School Concert. The evening was a long one with too many invited guest artists and speakers and was hosted by radio personality LV and TV star Kel Mitchell. Early in the evening, Kel made mention ofThe Game being “here tonigh”t sort of as a passing statement, So I thought it might have been a part of his act. You know, we’re in church and a notorious “gangster rapper” is going to show up… Ba-dump-bump.
So as the evening goes on, Kel Mitchell introduces The Game and he does in fact come out, looking rather preppy in some jeans, a plaid shirt, and trendy geek chic glasses. He greeted the crowd, encouraged the kids to stay in school and stay in church and he began to discuss how he had recently gave his life to Christ thanks to his grandmother and the ministers at City Of Refuge. The crowd was visibly excited to see him and everyone in attendance seemed proud of him and there wasn’t much of an air of “judgment” that sometimes accompanies these kinds of announcements. What was interesting to me was how he made sure to clarify that not only did he had given his life to God but that he’d also been “baptized in Jesus’ name.” Those of you familiar with church, denominational and theological difference know that this is sticking point and the subject of much debate amongst different denominations of Christianity. (As a quick refresher course, Apostolic denominations believe that you must be baptized in Jesus’ name while other are proponents of baptism in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” I’m of the “whatever floats your baptismal boat” philosophy. Sue me.) The Game apparently is decidedly “Apostolic” as is the doctrine of The City Of Refuge.
So what do you think of The Game “coming out” as a Christian? Am I the only person who didn’t know this? Either way, I think it’s great news! What do you think?
Torrence
Was Lot of the Bible a Righteous Man?
Lot was considered “righteous” because he was a direct Descendant of Abraham, who most likely taught him the ways of the Lord. Through Abraham’s teachings, was Lot made righteous. However; Lot became disobedient to God when he moved to Sodom where “the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” (Gen. 13:13). When you consistently surround yourself with bad company you begin to think like them. That’s exactly what happened to lot. Also Lots daughter weren’t children (which didn’t make the situation better but still an important fact).
All sin is detestable unto God, and if God was to respond to all sin by immediate punishment he will. There is also concept of Sowing and Reaping. Lot reaped what he sown by living in the midst of blatant sin by dealing with the reality of his daughters later successfully conspiring to get pregnant by him (getting him pretty much black out drunk and having sex with him). He planted a bad seed on himself and his family.
Lot was a righteous man who backslid. Earthly Righteousness doesn’t make you immune to making stupid decisions. Good people go bad all the time keeping it real. Scripture said in the New Testament:
“But he (God) saved Lot from those cities. Lot, a good man, was troubled because of the filthy lives of evil people. (Lot was a good man, but because he lived with evil people every day, his good heart was hurt by the evil things he saw and heard.)”
- 2 Peter 2:7-8 **NOTE: Some translations say that Lot was “vexed”, meaning “to make trouble for; to treat roughly; to afflict or oppress with evils.”
Think about the things that Lot saw on a day to day basis living in Sodom. Think about the wicked and corrupt behavior Lot witnessed day after day, which greatly troubled him as he strove to obey God. Imagine the worldly pulls and peer pressure he had to battle and endure as he interacted with neighbors, merchants, civic leaders and other citizens. Ezekiel 16:49-50 states that ancient Sodom’s “iniquity” was “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness,” as well as being “haughty” and failing to care for and “strengthen the hand of the poor and needy”. Kind of sounds like America in many ways lol.
Though he was a believer, Lot had to learn that “evil communications [companionship] corrupt good manners [morals, character]” (I Cor. 15:33). The Bible has much to say about this:
- “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go: Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul” (Prov. 22:24-25).
- “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence” (Prov. 4:14-17).
- “He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20).
- “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:6).
- “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (II Cor. 6:17).
- “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psa. 1:1).
- “I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked” (Psa. 26:4-5).
- “Come out of her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4).
In Conclusion, Lot was a Righteous Man who had an extremely bad case of peer pressure. We are called to be in the World, to be God’s instruments to save it. Being surrounded by sinners or the unsaved is a part of life and our job as believers. But if we are constantly are surrounding ourselves with Sinful Lifestyles eventually the flesh will be fed causing one to also engage in sinful acts. Keep the Lord’s words at heart and watch the company you keep.
Good Question: Is HIV/AIDS Judgement From God?
This article is a very interesting one. Not too much to explain but this is worth exploring sourced from GotQuestions.org
Question: “What does the Bible say about AIDS / HIV? Is AIDS / HIV a judgment from God?”
Answer: Fundamentally, all disease is a judgment from God. Adam and Eve did not know corruption of any kind before the Fall. When God pronounced judgment on Adam, death entered the world (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12). All sickness, from the common cold to cancer, is part of the curse, and we who live in a cursed world are subject to decay. So, yes, AIDS / HIV and other STDs (along with all other diseases) are part of God’s judgment in a cursed world.
The Bible plainly teaches that our choices bear consequences. Whatever a man sows, that’s what he reaps (Galatians 6:7-8). Righteousness brings blessing: “Keep my commands and you will live” (Proverbs 7:2); and sin brings judgment: “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble” (Proverbs 22:8). One of our problems is that we want total freedom to choose our actions, but we want them consequence-free. The reality is when we choose a course of action, we automatically choose its corresponding result. Scripture warns that sexual sin carries a built-in judgment from God. “He who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). “God will judge . . . all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4). It cannot be denied that living according to Biblical principles (sexual fidelity within marriage) drastically reduces one’s chances of contracting HIV / AIDS and other STDs.
Romans 1:18-32 is an indictment of the heathen, idolatrous world. It starts with these words: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men.” This passage teaches that the sin of homosexuality has its roots in a denial of God. It brings about shame, degradation, and a “due penalty.” Since STDs such as AIDS / HIV are attendant, for the most part, upon sexual sin, they must be considered as part of the “penalty” which reveals “the wrath of God” against the wickedness of men (verse 18). A key phrase is “God gave them over,” which occurs three times. God gave them over to sexual impurity (verse 24); to shameful lusts (verse 26); and to a depraved mind (verse 28). The meaning is that mankind chose to go its own way, and God allowed it. Granting mankind the freedom to go even further astray was itself a punishment on previous sin.
None of this is to say that everyone with AIDS / HIV is guilty of sexual sin or that homosexuals are beyond redemption. Tragically, some people have been infected with AIDS / HIV by blood transfusions, by innocent contact with another person who has AIDS / HIV, and most sadly, by being conceived in the womb of a mother who has AIDS / HIV. The Christian response to AIDS / HIV should always be one of grace and mercy. No matter how a disease was contracted, our responsibility is to be ministers of grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. We do not have the right or authority to proclaim that an AIDS / HIV contraction is a specific judgment from God on a specific sin in a person’s life. We have a responsibility to do good to all (Luke 10:29-37), and the Gospel we share is still “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
Good Read: Akissi Britton “Open Letter to Lil Kim”
This article is an 11-year old article that was featured in the October 2000 issue of Essence Magazine. I came across it on NecoleBitchie.com, I thought it was an excellent article that seems to focus on empowering women in hip-hop, alongside empowering women who loves hip-hop.
Essence Magazine - October 2000
Peace, Kim,
As a young Black feminist, I felt it was time to clear a few things up. Now, Ma, I’m not hating on you. In fact, I love you. I love your flow and I love your energy. You have a skill that cannot be denied. No question, you are partially responsible for the strong feminine presence in hip-hop right now. It wasn’t so long ago when female rappers couldn’t even go gold. Your debut album, Hard Core, went multiplatinum. When you stepped up to the mike, you commanded money, power and economic respect from the industry and consumers alike. Female artists have topped the charts, raked in sales and even have big Hollywood types, socialites and top designers dying for you all to show them some love. There’s no doubt that many of you have made your mark in this music biz. With your rhymes and attitudes, you and your sista emcees represent every facet of a Black girl’s life–the ghetto, thugged-out shorty, the God-blessed, scripture-spittin’ sister and everything in between. In each of you we see a piece of us. You’ve become the voices that let the masses know our generation of young Black women will not be ignored.
But I’m having a problem when all these voices are being classified as empowering and feminist. While your lyrics may speak the truth of some young women’s realities–hard-core sex, drugs and the rough street life–they don’t empower women in these situations to get out. I know the word feminist gets thrown around a lot in hip-hop these days, but let’s not get it twisted. Just because a voice is feminine doesn’t mean it’s feminist. To carry that label means that you are engaged in the battle to fight political, economic and social sexism. And these days we have so many things threatening to consume us–Black women are dying of AIDS at a growing rate; our presence in the prison system is increasing, due in part to our intimate involvement with men in the drug game, a role that you’ve often glamorized and glorified in your music; and we are still experiencing forced single parenthood, domestic violence, police brutality and the complete breakdown of our families.
Feminism is about embracing our power without reducing it to what’s between our legs. And this so-called pussy power that you portray, the literal or figurative use of what’s between your legs to get the material things you want, completely defeats this. Besides biggin’ up every female who slept her way to the top, it perpetuates the gold-digging, highly sexualized, whorish image that Black women have been trying to kill since slavery. Even throughout hip-hop’s brief history, women have fought to be respected as real emcees without reducing themselves to tits and ass. Rap is pregnant with lyrics that will make the average listener think male rappers have some serious anger, if not outright hatred, for us. We are bombarded with images that show women as only token pieces, to be sported like jewelry. For too many years we female fans who lived, breathed and died hip-hop have had to grapple with this ugly contradiction: How can we love the music that only sees us as bitches and hoes? And now you’ve come on the scene calling yourself a queen bitch, professing in your lyrics that the ultimate way to “get yours” is to be a supreme bitch and make men pay for a taste. No matter how you define it, Kim, a bitch is a bitch. And sex equals money equals power is not a feminist principle. What are we telling young girls, that the only way they can escape abuse, neglect and hard living–all by-products of sexism–is to use their bodies? That’s praising prostitution.
Remember, sis, there have been women in this biz who didn’t have to resort to pussy power. MC Lyte was one of the strongest lyricists in her day, and she did it without showing her ass. And when Queen Latifah came on the scene, she brought back the cultural legacy that we, the children of the Black Power Movement, grew up on. Power was being a female hip-hop fan ten years ago, back when we were sporting Africa medallions, waving red, black and green flags and singing songs like Latifah’s “Ladies First.” Sistah Souljah stood right up there with Public Enemy and shouted “We Are at War.” Back then we wore the armor of self-love, self-respect and self-actualization, standing together with our men while we all did what it took to “Fight the Power.” Word, that felt like power. Like love.
Today we’ve traded in our shields for Gucci sandals and Vicky thongs. We now stand across from our men pointing hypocritical fingers at their sexism while letting them know that it will cost a large fee to get a piece. This is empowering, ma? You can’t be serious. We’ve abandoned our self-esteem and self-respect for the iced-out carrots society keeps dangling in our faces. But what did we expect? We are the generation that was spoon-fed Dynasty dreams financed with the trickle-down economics of the Reagan-Bush administrations. The slogan of the eighties was “No Romance Without Finance,” so it’s no wonder we’ve computed sex equals money equals power. Business fact of the day: Sex sells. But understand this, Kim: so does your soul. Ask yourself if you really felt empowered when you did an ad for your first album with your legs spread wide wearing only a thong and a bra. Did you feel empowered wearing absolutely nothing but a hat and boots during the photo shoot for a promo poster for your second album, The Notorious K.I.M. ? If that image wasn’t so profitable would you have done it? Money doesn’t change the feeling of exploitation, does it? It just allows you to dress it up in furs, diamonds and designer clothes. But you can’t hide from your fans, Kim–not the ones who truly love you anyway. We see a scared little girl who has told us in countless interviews that she is not happy. We see a little girl who’s in pain but hides it well behind her blue contact lenses. But I also see a woman, one who will eventually have to face reality and conquer the demons that haunt her. Because you can’t hide from yourself, ma. I want you to come out of this hell with your dignity intact. To finally know that real power stems from what’s in a woman’s heart, mind and soul. Now that will be empowering. Cuz that’s real. That’s love.
Brother Ali on The N-Word [Video]
I truthfully thought this was a good point that Ali made. It’s real and I agree with everything he’s saying. Yes, I know this video is old too.
“The thing with the ‘n word’: it’s very very confusing for white kids who have a lot of black friends and are accepted. And I can’t stand here and say that when I was 9 years old, and all my friends were black, and they were telling me ‘you’re basically black,’ that I didn’t believe that. Now I’m at a place where I’m just like ‘not everybody knows me and nobody should ever have to, like, why should I impose on other people to have to confront that question in their mind?’ You know what I mean?” -Brother Ali
Black Women & Weight-loss: Double Standard or Hating?
As of late we have seen a lot of “Thicker” women in the media slim down quite nicely from Sherri Shepard, to Jennifer Hudson, to Raven Symone, to Jill Scott.
Personally, I think they all look beautiful. I can say that in Sherri and Jill’s cases it’s a good look, they look “Healthy”. But in Raven (my life long crush) and J-Hud’s cases they seem to be picking up where Nicole Richie left off, being honest.
Anyway, I believe this is more of an issue amongst the women in our beautiful Black race where it seems that “Bigger is Better”. This applies even for our African brothers and sisters. Where when a black woman looses a generous amount of weight they seem to be put under a lot of fire for trying to “Look White” or whatever else comes to mind. The criticism usually has something to do with them having confidence and self-image issues, when they’re most likely doing it to improve their health.
I came across this comment on a Coco & Creme post:
I think within the black community we are quick to forget the health issues associated with being a “full” figured Women sometimes. In an attempt to love thy self and not succumb to hollywoods pressure many forget the weight they are caring can be very unhealthy. I am 21 and a size 20. I’m 5″11 and carry my weight well. I’ve never had a problem with my self esteem or the opposite sex. I love howy body looks in clothes (no matter how hard it is to find them) and never thought or cared twice about what the stars looked like compared to me. As well as being 21 and plus sized. I am so 21 and have hypertension. Thawing the same type/amount of blood press medicine as my 67- year old grandmother. As much as I lovey size. I love my life more and I know a healthier me is much more fabulous then a checker one. We never know why some people lose weigh and we are quick to suggest they have confidence issues almost causing a Double standard among our people. I am happy to see those whose bodies use to resemble how mine look now. Smaller, it means that mr losing the weight and being healthy is doable regardless of how “big boned” I’ve been told I am all my life.
Do you think that the weight loss criticism in the Black Community is an issue of Double Standard or Plain Hating?
Interesting Comment: Marriage and Dating
Most guys who think about the idea of Marriage. Typically feel like they’re loosing out. Not that most of us (meaning guys) would be wilding, it’s just the having freedom we’re most concerned about loosing.
Knowing how rocky the Single/Dating life can potentially be, it can be a toll. I totally agree w/ the statement below if it’s a Good Stable Marriage.
I mean, it’s not like you would really be banging every hot woman you see. You’d be dealing with dating, rejection, loneliness, crazy women, risks of STDs and unwanted kids, etc. For most of us, single life is not some awesome carefree sex fest (god I wish it were!) Marriage has offered you some great advantages- a steady source of sex and companionship, freedom from the ups and downs of dating, a good way to raise children, financial stability, etc.
Nothing Like A “Classical Woman” [Randomness]
B. Slade (@BSLADE) – I’m Done (feat. Yummy Bingham)
This is some joints from my latest major design project, Diesel. I’ve been spending the last couple of months working with the artist formerly known as Tonex/TON3X; B. Slade, doing his album art for the Highly Anticipated Album. Diesel. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and working one of my biggest musical inspirations.
This joint would’ve fit perfectly in a “London Letters”-Type of project, with the jazz vibe. It also have that classic 1996-2002 R&B Vibe. Anyway here is “Im Done”, single from B. Slade’s forthcoming album “Diesel”.
The Art of Truth [Sampler]
Below is the sampler for my debut album “The Art of Truth” featuring singles “Wanna Good Girl”, “Christ Culture”, and “Miracles”…
