Got this link from People Of Size on my facebook page and thought perhaps other people might want to address the article. I posted a response and couldn't get all I wanted to say in due to the 1500 character limit but thought I would share the link and my (original)response hoping others here would address this as well.
http://thestir.cafemom.com/healthy_...ded&comment_state=facebook&success=1#comments
Ah but what is missing here is the fact that we as overweight people are people first and fat second. We hear the risks every day in the media, from our family and friends and when we visit the doctor or go to the gym. However we as people have a right to live our lives in society fat or thin. People who are fat have lives and God forbid, might want to go out to have dinner with friends or family, take a trip, be able to buy clothing that fits well and is stylish. You as a thin person have never had to think twice about any of that. You "fit in" to society, you are deemed normal, you are not harassed simply for your appearance and instantly judged because you don't fit todays standards of health and beauty. I have no problems with the ideas you suggested that would help address the problem, I do however take umbrage with the fact that you want to see things we in the size acceptance movement fought hard for, taken away because you see it as "coddling". As you cite in your post 68% are overweight or obese-that is a majority. Shouldn't therefore this majority of persons be able to spend the money in their chubby little fists buying stylish clothing, travelling, and sitting in chairs in public places such as eateries, theatres, and yes even medical offices that fit us? Fatism is the last safe prejudice in our society today. Its ok to poke fun at or chastise, deny jobs to, refuse health care to and heck yes even service to lets just say it FAT PEOPLE. Lets look at a combination of the incentives you suggest along with the options provided to give those of us that are "above average"
http://thestir.cafemom.com/healthy_...ded&comment_state=facebook&success=1#comments
Ah but what is missing here is the fact that we as overweight people are people first and fat second. We hear the risks every day in the media, from our family and friends and when we visit the doctor or go to the gym. However we as people have a right to live our lives in society fat or thin. People who are fat have lives and God forbid, might want to go out to have dinner with friends or family, take a trip, be able to buy clothing that fits well and is stylish. You as a thin person have never had to think twice about any of that. You "fit in" to society, you are deemed normal, you are not harassed simply for your appearance and instantly judged because you don't fit todays standards of health and beauty. I have no problems with the ideas you suggested that would help address the problem, I do however take umbrage with the fact that you want to see things we in the size acceptance movement fought hard for, taken away because you see it as "coddling". As you cite in your post 68% are overweight or obese-that is a majority. Shouldn't therefore this majority of persons be able to spend the money in their chubby little fists buying stylish clothing, travelling, and sitting in chairs in public places such as eateries, theatres, and yes even medical offices that fit us? Fatism is the last safe prejudice in our society today. Its ok to poke fun at or chastise, deny jobs to, refuse health care to and heck yes even service to lets just say it FAT PEOPLE. Lets look at a combination of the incentives you suggest along with the options provided to give those of us that are "above average"
