| Debby Tewes is Asian Wisconzine's Contributing Writer in the Milwaukee area |
Marlon Eric Lima
Thick Dumpling Skin:
Comfort Food for Thought
Comfort Food for Thought
Marlon Eric Lima is a student at UW-Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication; a First Wave Hip-Hop Theatre
Ensemble - Scholar; and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Ensemble - Scholar; and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
According to Lee, the title functions as a metaphor for how
dumplings are only good if the filling is tasty, which aligns
with the site’s motto, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
Simultaneously the domain name also refers to the thick
skin needed to overcome the negative comments one
faces when abandoning the pursuit of the “perfect” body.
“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body,” says Lee
arguing that one should not try to fit oneself into the mold of
the ‘perfect’ body. “We’re all made differently… different
DNA, different fingerprints, and all of that.”
“Focus on what the inner part of you looks like and how you
want to present yourself to the world,” continues Lee
discussing the importance of inner virtues such as honesty
and progressiveness. “Those are the things that will stay
with people even if you are not with them anymore;
Whereas bodies are physical things that change and are
not long lasting.”
“‘Healthy’ is a very subjective idea,” said Lee noting that
metabolism is another differential variable affecting each
person’s individual conception of what is healthy.
Since each body is made differently, the website offers no
formula for the perfect body. Nor does it regurgitate
common health information. Instead, the website offers an
alternative by opening a dialogue that breaks the false
image of solitude people have in negative mirror self-
evaluations.
dumplings are only good if the filling is tasty, which aligns
with the site’s motto, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
Simultaneously the domain name also refers to the thick
skin needed to overcome the negative comments one
faces when abandoning the pursuit of the “perfect” body.
“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ body,” says Lee
arguing that one should not try to fit oneself into the mold of
the ‘perfect’ body. “We’re all made differently… different
DNA, different fingerprints, and all of that.”
“Focus on what the inner part of you looks like and how you
want to present yourself to the world,” continues Lee
discussing the importance of inner virtues such as honesty
and progressiveness. “Those are the things that will stay
with people even if you are not with them anymore;
Whereas bodies are physical things that change and are
not long lasting.”
“‘Healthy’ is a very subjective idea,” said Lee noting that
metabolism is another differential variable affecting each
person’s individual conception of what is healthy.
Since each body is made differently, the website offers no
formula for the perfect body. Nor does it regurgitate
common health information. Instead, the website offers an
alternative by opening a dialogue that breaks the false
image of solitude people have in negative mirror self-
evaluations.
by Marlon Eric Lima
This article is dedicated to people who stand in front of mirrors and see only themselves under the thick
lens of judgment. Often our solitary reflection convinces us that we are alone in our self-deprecating
thoughts and internal struggle to achieve comfort in our own clothing size.
In February 2011, Lisa Lee and Lynn Chen began a blog devoted to discussing issues of body image and
eating disorders amongst the Asian-American community. Over two years later, the open-submission site
has become a noteworthy support service for those pursuing the “perfect” body.
“The blog allows people to come and relieve these feelings they’ve had for years,” said Lee regarding a
person’s negative self-evaluations when striving for an ideal body. “Feeling guilty, conflicted and really bad
about themselves and not knowing where those feelings came from, how to interpret them and where to
deposit them.”
Since the website is driven largely by viewer submitted stories, it functions simultaneously as a forum for
This article is dedicated to people who stand in front of mirrors and see only themselves under the thick
lens of judgment. Often our solitary reflection convinces us that we are alone in our self-deprecating
thoughts and internal struggle to achieve comfort in our own clothing size.
In February 2011, Lisa Lee and Lynn Chen began a blog devoted to discussing issues of body image and
eating disorders amongst the Asian-American community. Over two years later, the open-submission site
has become a noteworthy support service for those pursuing the “perfect” body.
“The blog allows people to come and relieve these feelings they’ve had for years,” said Lee regarding a
person’s negative self-evaluations when striving for an ideal body. “Feeling guilty, conflicted and really bad
about themselves and not knowing where those feelings came from, how to interpret them and where to
deposit them.”
Since the website is driven largely by viewer submitted stories, it functions simultaneously as a forum for
these voices and a support system for Asian-Americans who may have felt alone in an unhealthy quest for the “perfect” body.
“Body image and eating disorders are not just a matter of willpower,” said Lee clarifying a cornerstone belief of the site. “They are
affected by a lot of factors that we forget such as cultural influences and familial influences.”
The “about” section of the website candidly discusses these influences such as respectfully agreeing to relatives’ second and third
offerings for food, then being called “too fat” or “too skinny” within days of each other.
“We wonder why we weren’t born into a culture where ample booties are celebrated,” says the conversational-toned “about” section in
regards to the stereotypical standards Asian-Americans are held to.
Lee made a point to note that body image issues are not isolated to Asian-American women, but also extend to women of color and
men as well.
“Body image and eating disorders are not just a matter of willpower,” said Lee clarifying a cornerstone belief of the site. “They are
affected by a lot of factors that we forget such as cultural influences and familial influences.”
The “about” section of the website candidly discusses these influences such as respectfully agreeing to relatives’ second and third
offerings for food, then being called “too fat” or “too skinny” within days of each other.
“We wonder why we weren’t born into a culture where ample booties are celebrated,” says the conversational-toned “about” section in
regards to the stereotypical standards Asian-Americans are held to.
Lee made a point to note that body image issues are not isolated to Asian-American women, but also extend to women of color and
men as well.
| Lisa Lee and Lynn Chen (co-creators of the site); photo from the "About" page |
“We judge our success by anecdotal stories,” said Lee regarding the website’s
user contributions and feedback that have ranged from light-hearted
commentary to serious confessions. According to Lee, the personal stories
come from “people who have lost childhood friends to eating disorders, people
who continue to struggle with the disorders today, and people who overcame it
but still feel conflicted and guilty on a daily basis for how they look.”
Another significant marker of the website’s success would be its growing
following and the attention it has received from mainstream outlets. Marie
Claire, a popular monthly women’s magazine, has considered the creators
“new change agents” for their work with the site.
According to Marie Claire, the website has established a base of 4,000 unique
monthly users.
The website’s roots trace back to a story Lee wrote in Hyphen magazine that
user contributions and feedback that have ranged from light-hearted
commentary to serious confessions. According to Lee, the personal stories
come from “people who have lost childhood friends to eating disorders, people
who continue to struggle with the disorders today, and people who overcame it
but still feel conflicted and guilty on a daily basis for how they look.”
Another significant marker of the website’s success would be its growing
following and the attention it has received from mainstream outlets. Marie
Claire, a popular monthly women’s magazine, has considered the creators
“new change agents” for their work with the site.
According to Marie Claire, the website has established a base of 4,000 unique
monthly users.
The website’s roots trace back to a story Lee wrote in Hyphen magazine that
regarded her past struggles fluctuating between extreme dieting and eating binges. Chen (who had begun a food blog) contacted
Lee after stumbling upon an NPR interview about Lee’s story.
Lynn who had battled eating disorders for years related to Lee’s discussion of how being Asian-American affected her struggle with
body image. Once they began connecting over their shared experiences, the blog pioneers decided to launch the site “thick
dumpling skin.”
Lee after stumbling upon an NPR interview about Lee’s story.
Lynn who had battled eating disorders for years related to Lee’s discussion of how being Asian-American affected her struggle with
body image. Once they began connecting over their shared experiences, the blog pioneers decided to launch the site “thick
dumpling skin.”
Above photos are screenshots of the blog. (Top) website-
screenshot of the "about" section, written in a down to earth tone for
users; website-homepage
screenshot of the "about" section, written in a down to earth tone for
users; website-homepage
“The website has helped me be accountable to my thoughts and actions, and police those negative thoughts and feelings,” says
Lee in regards to her personal journey.
Lee in regards to her personal journey.