Real Bodies

Britta Santowski is a freelance writer in Victoria.

This collection of 16 philosophical and contemplative essays can be
categorized into two seemingly unrelated themes: pop culture and
human-rights activism. Helwig explores an eclectic selection of
material, including Woodstock and capitalism, the colour of Jesus, the
language of poetry, and Princess Diana. Her essays on human rights
reflect her own experiences as a human-rights activist.

Early on in the collection, it becomes clear that the two
categories—pop culture and activism—are not mutually exclusive. For
example, the opening essay, “Love and the Postmodern Alien:
Reflections on the X-Files,” is an insightful piece on the difficulty
of staying human in an increasingly inhuman world. “Another Look at
Hunger” examines the language of hunger from the perspective of an
ex-anorexic (the author herself) and through the exploration of a BBC
documentary in which a woman stages a five-day hunger strike in support
of Tibet.

The most notable essays focus on Helwig’s involvement as a
human-rights activist, both in Canada and abroad. “Pictures at a
Demonstration,” a wonderful tribute to a fellow activist, details the
many video clips filmed at an ARMX demonstration in Ottawa. “Notes
Against Hatred” explores the politicization of war and fear. “Rape
in Indonesia: Creating the Heroes” describes how, through rape, men
become agents of order. These accessible and interesting essays bespeak
Helwig’s ability to translate activism into words.