"Since Gaga is all about transformation and the shock of the new, we asked trendsetting fashion and theatrical designers, illustrators, and cartoonists to try to top said meat dress."This is what the New York magazine asked. Here's what one cartoonist produced.
As a mom of a child born with a cleft, I am completely offended.
In my opinion, it was tacky and tasteless of the artist to use something like a cleft to "transform" Lady Gaga. The artist, Tim Henley said, "Lady Gaga obtains a cleft lip from a cosmetic surgeon to spread her message of universal tolerance. What if you could change the life of a diva?"
Was it the artist's perogative to make this cartoon? Sure. If you think a cleft lip and palate and the title of Lady Gaga's new album (Born This Way) fit together in an ironic twist, fine. What really upsets me is that the New York Magazine chose to put this up for everyone to see. Though not wrong, I think it was a poor judgment choice.
The "assignment",
Hypothetical Gaga, was to top the bizarre
meat dress, to be more shocking. The cartoonist did get it right. A cleft lip is shocking at first for parents. But when I looked at Timothy, I immediately fell in love. I didn't see the cleft, I saw my beautiful baby boy. And when Tim Henley used a cleft lip to make Lady Gaga appear more shocking and bizarre, it felt like a slap in the face to me as a mother. My baby and the deformity he had should not be put into the same category as a stupid meat dress.
The cartoonist, Tim Henley, completely missed the mark, and the New York Magazine should NOT have published his work. The assignment was called Hypothetical Gaga. A cleft lip is not hypothetical. It is something that thousands of parents and children deal with every day.
If you agree with me, please take the time to e-mail New York Magazine. Here's a copy of the letter I sent.
"To whom it may concern,
I write to you today to express my disappointment and outrage in the portrayal of Lady Gaga with a cleft lip and palate.
Using a birth defect that effects thousands of parents and children every day as a way to make Lady Gaga look more bizarre and freakish is insulting. A cleft lip in not a hypothetical situation. My child, (change this as appropriate) has dealt with the many issues involved with having a cleft. Are you insinuating that a child with a cleft is bizarre or freakish? Shame on you!
How will you correct this wrong?
Sincerely,"
E-mails can be sent to: contactus@nymag.com
It's summer in Texas! Time to break out the pool! But for Timothy, swimming in the "big" pool with his siblings can be a little overwhelming. So I filled our empty sandbox with water, and let him have his own private pool,
We've entered a new era for Timothy. Climbing! Nothing is safe. And homeschooling just got a lot more interesting!
Recently, Timothy's been falling asleep in his highchair during lunch. Sweet boy.
Watching the royal wedding.
Usually, my boys are rough and tumble, wild and crazy. One evening, Micah laid on me while I was on the couch, wrapped his "little" arms around me, and told me he would keep me safe from Benjamin. I savored this moment!
Another savorable moment..... a late sleeping Benjamin!
While we were in OKC last month, Elizabeth, my Mom and I took a break from the craziness and got pedicures. It was wonderful! Such a special time with two very special ladies.
For six straight days, we were sick. I think we ended up passing around two different viruses. This picture of Micah was taken during one of SIX doctor's visits that we made during our sickness. Poor little guy. Elizabeth and Benjamin were the same way the day before.
