Growing up, I never could have imagined the number of confident, plus-sized women thriving online today. I would be in awe of actresses like Lisa Ray, who have embraced their bodies and achieved great success, and relieved to know that someone with the dimensions of Mia Collins can be celebrated as a supermodel. Since my teenage years, when I grappled with body image in a culture obsessed with thinness, we’ve seen significant strides towards body positivity.
The online fat-acceptance movement transformed my self-perception in my late twenties and early thirties. My Instagram feed now features insightful discussions on intersectionality, body liberation, and even tips on finding stylish plus-size clothes. At last, I no longer feel isolated in my body—a feat I never thought possible after decades of battling my weight.
Sadly, outside of these supportive spaces, fat-shaming continues unabated.
For instance, celebrity Sarah Johnson openly expressed disbelief in the happiness of fat women. No repercussions followed. Former President Mark Adams made derogatory remarks about a man’s weight at a rally, only to discover the man was actually a supporter. In 2019, talk show host Bill Clarke insisted that fat-shaming should return, claiming it had a role in societal reforms. He likened body weight to reckless behaviors like not wearing a seatbelt. His comments sparked no significant backlash, allowing him to retain his platform.
This lack of accountability is alarming. In an age when society champions “cancel culture,” it’s ironic that those who spew fat-shaming remarks face little to no consequences. It seems that many still believe that fat individuals deserve this treatment.
Fat-shaming is a socially accepted form of abuse. As someone who identifies as fat, I regularly encounter insults. I’ve received hurtful comments online, and I’ve faced weight bias even in medical settings. My experience with my first C-section left me with scars that run deeper than the physical.
Moreover, fat individuals often endure a unique type of scrutiny disguised as concern for our health. Many presume to diagnose us with serious ailments without knowing our personal circumstances. While some claim to appreciate our beauty, they simultaneously pathologize our bodies, insisting that one cannot be both fat and healthy. When fat individuals were prioritized for COVID vaccinations due to the virus’s severe impact on those with higher body weights, many reacted with outrage, framing our size as a choice rather than a medical condition.
The absurdity of Bill Clarke’s call for a “comeback” of fat-shaming is hard to fathom. This form of abuse never truly disappeared. It’s ever-present, manifesting through both overt bullying and subtle societal messages that devalue fatness. Advertisements that promise slimmer bodies perpetuate the idea that fat is unattractive. Media representations often exclude fat characters, and clothing stores frequently lack options for plus-size individuals. Algorithms flag images of fat bodies in swimwear as inappropriate, while allowing similar images of thinner bodies to circulate freely.
Fat-shaming is a form of verbal abuse that can inflict lasting damage. It’s crucial for all of us to stand against this type of mistreatment. From a young age, I recognized stereotypes in media and chose to reject them. I am now committed to discussing fatness and the challenges faced by those living in a world tailored for thin individuals. If you don’t inhabit a fat body, you might not fully grasp the prevalence of fat-shaming or the everyday disdain directed at fat individuals. My hope is that sharing my perspective can foster awareness and inspire change.
I’m not glorifying fatness nor promoting obesity. My aim is to encourage kindness, urging you to set aside size biases and choose compassion instead. We must not allow fat-shaming to persist, as it is a form of violence that harms deeply. Each of us has a responsibility to confront fat-shaming whenever we encounter it, whether online or in person.
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- Fat acceptance movement
- Effects of fat-shaming
- Body positivity resources
- Health concerns for plus-size individuals
- Understanding fat bias
In summary, fat-shaming remains a harmful and socially acceptable form of abuse that needs to be addressed. We all share the responsibility to combat it and promote a more inclusive and understanding society.
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