Russell Williams
Well-Known Member
The 1994 LA Memorial Day weekend Friday night dance was
held at the level below the level of the main hotel
entrance. All people entering and leaving the hotel could
look over a railing and watch us dance. Since, at the same
time, the hotel was also having the Miss California
Teenager contest, many people stopped to look over the
railing and watch us dance. After we realized that crowds
were gathering, Louise Wolfe, David Craig, and I went up
and started passing out NAAFA literature and talking about
the unfairness of size discrimination. The next morning I
wrote the following speech:
My fellow activists, I welcome you, and if you were at the
dance last night , like it or not, you have entered the
ranks of the activists of NAAFA. Last night hundreds of
people watched us dance. They had so many of their
stereotypes come crashing down it was a wonder that no one
was hit by the debris.
What did the people watching from the balcony learn? Did
they learn that fat people are lazy, immobile creatures.
NO! Did they learn that no man would be interested in a fat
woman? Wrong! Did they learn that a fat woman is hiding
from her sexuality. Nope! Did they learn that fat women are
ashamed of their bodies and always dress in loose fitting,
form hiding, drab clothing? Wow did they learn that that
one was wrong.
Who were these people who had all their old preconceptions
torn away from them by the blinding light of actuality? I
do not know, but I do know that many of them had enough
extra money to come here and put their daughters or
granddaughters in the pageant. Some of them had to be in
positions to make hiring or promotional decisions. Some of
them had to be social workers, caseworkers, counselors, or
teachers. The vast majority now know that NAAFA exists and
has a phone number. Many of them will mention last night's
experiences to family and friends.
What were the jobs of our audience, some of whom will
become our supporters? I actually do know the jobs of two.
One was a pilot. If he did not know of our seating problems
before, he knows of them now.
The other person whose job I know was a stewardess for
South West Airlines. Her I gave a bit of extra, special,
attention to. I pointed out that for all those dancing
people and their families and friends South West was the
carrier of last resort, and that some would take the bus or
stay home rather then endanger their dignity and wallets on
South West.
Last night we activists planted seeds. many will not grow,
but some will. Some will grow and bear abundant fruit.
Fellow NAAFAians, we to have seen the promised land with
its freedom from bigotry and intolerance, and, step by
step, we to shall overcome.
Russell Williams
June 15, 1994
held at the level below the level of the main hotel
entrance. All people entering and leaving the hotel could
look over a railing and watch us dance. Since, at the same
time, the hotel was also having the Miss California
Teenager contest, many people stopped to look over the
railing and watch us dance. After we realized that crowds
were gathering, Louise Wolfe, David Craig, and I went up
and started passing out NAAFA literature and talking about
the unfairness of size discrimination. The next morning I
wrote the following speech:
My fellow activists, I welcome you, and if you were at the
dance last night , like it or not, you have entered the
ranks of the activists of NAAFA. Last night hundreds of
people watched us dance. They had so many of their
stereotypes come crashing down it was a wonder that no one
was hit by the debris.
What did the people watching from the balcony learn? Did
they learn that fat people are lazy, immobile creatures.
NO! Did they learn that no man would be interested in a fat
woman? Wrong! Did they learn that a fat woman is hiding
from her sexuality. Nope! Did they learn that fat women are
ashamed of their bodies and always dress in loose fitting,
form hiding, drab clothing? Wow did they learn that that
one was wrong.
Who were these people who had all their old preconceptions
torn away from them by the blinding light of actuality? I
do not know, but I do know that many of them had enough
extra money to come here and put their daughters or
granddaughters in the pageant. Some of them had to be in
positions to make hiring or promotional decisions. Some of
them had to be social workers, caseworkers, counselors, or
teachers. The vast majority now know that NAAFA exists and
has a phone number. Many of them will mention last night's
experiences to family and friends.
What were the jobs of our audience, some of whom will
become our supporters? I actually do know the jobs of two.
One was a pilot. If he did not know of our seating problems
before, he knows of them now.
The other person whose job I know was a stewardess for
South West Airlines. Her I gave a bit of extra, special,
attention to. I pointed out that for all those dancing
people and their families and friends South West was the
carrier of last resort, and that some would take the bus or
stay home rather then endanger their dignity and wallets on
South West.
Last night we activists planted seeds. many will not grow,
but some will. Some will grow and bear abundant fruit.
Fellow NAAFAians, we to have seen the promised land with
its freedom from bigotry and intolerance, and, step by
step, we to shall overcome.
Russell Williams
June 15, 1994
