With all of the talk lately about activism, it's been on my mind what I can do. This morning, I was provided with an opportunity, as small as it might be.
I have a 45 minute commute (at least) every morning, and most of the time, I listen to one particular local morning show on the radio. One of the hosts is a big guy, and has often touted one diet plan or another...you all know the drill.
This morning, they were asking people to call in to describe an incident in which one of their children did or said something embarrassing in public. A lady called in to tell a story of a time she was out with her 5 year old daughter, and they passed a "very large lady" (said with "that" tone). Her daughter proceeded to say in an appropriately loud 5 year old voice, "Mommy, that fat lady's dress is really pretty!"....and then the show hosts and the woman on the phone said a few things about how embarrassing situations like that are, and that "sometimes kids don't know what they're saying"...all with pity in their voices.
It really bugged me the rest of the way in to work. It bugged me to the point that I sent this letter to the hosts of the show:
Hi Guys,
I was listening to the show this morning when you had people calling in about things kids have done, and I wanted to say a few words in regard to the woman who cringed when her daughter complimented the fat womans dress.
First, let me be clear that this is not sent in anger or criticism. Id just like to make people think about a couple of things. If you could read this on the air, that would be really great.
I believe this woman who cringed when her daughter described the large woman as a fat lady really did her child a disservice. The word fat does not need to be a negative term. It is merely an adjective that describes and should not have any more power to it than that.
I am a fat woman. I have been all of my adult life. I am not lazy, or a slob, I dont eat constantly. I struggled with yo-yo dieting for 15 years, until I finally reached a point that I decided to stop. I eat healthy, exercise as much as possible, and other than health issues that are normal with getting older, Im relatively healthy. My blood pressure and cholesterol are excellent. Could I be healthier? Of course but most people could be, as well, regardless of their weight. I feel better now than I ever did when I was dieting. I choose to be the weight I am, and enjoy life to the fullest, striving to be as healthy as possible, as I am, instead of constantly dieting and depriving myself.
Heres my point: not all fat people fit the stereotype that so many seem to have. This morning on the radio, I heard pity in the voices when the large lady was discussed. Large people dont want pity. They dont want to be looked down on. They want to be treated like anyone else with respect. Just because the fashion industry says we must all be a certain size does not make those who dont fit that ideal less than acceptable, and not all fat people are unhealthy and miserable. Many are happy, well-adjusted folks who live life like everyone else. Yet, size discrimination is the last socially acceptable form of discrimination. Its okay to make fun of fat people on tv, movies, etc what does that teach our children?
I am just one small voice, but I really do hope you read this on the air and that if people hear it, they will stop and think. The next time they encounter a large person in public look past the fat, and let go of the stereotype, and realize that there is a person inside who needs to feel acceptance just like everyone else on this planet.
Signed,
A Happy Fat Person.
I have a 45 minute commute (at least) every morning, and most of the time, I listen to one particular local morning show on the radio. One of the hosts is a big guy, and has often touted one diet plan or another...you all know the drill.
This morning, they were asking people to call in to describe an incident in which one of their children did or said something embarrassing in public. A lady called in to tell a story of a time she was out with her 5 year old daughter, and they passed a "very large lady" (said with "that" tone). Her daughter proceeded to say in an appropriately loud 5 year old voice, "Mommy, that fat lady's dress is really pretty!"....and then the show hosts and the woman on the phone said a few things about how embarrassing situations like that are, and that "sometimes kids don't know what they're saying"...all with pity in their voices.
It really bugged me the rest of the way in to work. It bugged me to the point that I sent this letter to the hosts of the show:
Hi Guys,
I was listening to the show this morning when you had people calling in about things kids have done, and I wanted to say a few words in regard to the woman who cringed when her daughter complimented the fat womans dress.
First, let me be clear that this is not sent in anger or criticism. Id just like to make people think about a couple of things. If you could read this on the air, that would be really great.
I believe this woman who cringed when her daughter described the large woman as a fat lady really did her child a disservice. The word fat does not need to be a negative term. It is merely an adjective that describes and should not have any more power to it than that.
I am a fat woman. I have been all of my adult life. I am not lazy, or a slob, I dont eat constantly. I struggled with yo-yo dieting for 15 years, until I finally reached a point that I decided to stop. I eat healthy, exercise as much as possible, and other than health issues that are normal with getting older, Im relatively healthy. My blood pressure and cholesterol are excellent. Could I be healthier? Of course but most people could be, as well, regardless of their weight. I feel better now than I ever did when I was dieting. I choose to be the weight I am, and enjoy life to the fullest, striving to be as healthy as possible, as I am, instead of constantly dieting and depriving myself.
Heres my point: not all fat people fit the stereotype that so many seem to have. This morning on the radio, I heard pity in the voices when the large lady was discussed. Large people dont want pity. They dont want to be looked down on. They want to be treated like anyone else with respect. Just because the fashion industry says we must all be a certain size does not make those who dont fit that ideal less than acceptable, and not all fat people are unhealthy and miserable. Many are happy, well-adjusted folks who live life like everyone else. Yet, size discrimination is the last socially acceptable form of discrimination. Its okay to make fun of fat people on tv, movies, etc what does that teach our children?
I am just one small voice, but I really do hope you read this on the air and that if people hear it, they will stop and think. The next time they encounter a large person in public look past the fat, and let go of the stereotype, and realize that there is a person inside who needs to feel acceptance just like everyone else on this planet.
Signed,
A Happy Fat Person.
