Fat Activism comes in many shapes and forms. Just by being fat you are a Fat Activist. You are fighting against fat myths and fat stereotypes to prove that is not who you are. Let's keep in mind that a Fat Activist does not always have to be someone screaming for Fat Equality. It can be a team or individuals that are willing to speak up, if others are not, and work as a team to raise awareness for the size acceptance cause.

It's been my experience, in the last year of working towards size acceptance, that a lot of people are uncomfortable with saying the word ?FAT'. The negative connotations and myths that are attached to the word, fat, make it even almost difficult to use the word as a descriptive word.

As a novice fat activist, I am slowly trying to take back the word. It doesn't bother me that people call me fat, what bothers me is how it is said and the context it is utilized by the person saying it. So, I'm FAT! I'm a few pounds overweight, hell possibly even considerably more than a few pounds, though it is I who has to live with it. Not the person going out of their way to point out that I'm fat and it's a problem. Who is it a problem for? Why is it so difficult for some people to believe that not everyone was meant to be a size 6?

As fat people, we know the health complications, and at the same time health professionals have shown biased and incorrect health diagnosis when it pertains to the fat masses. The best thing any one of us fat people can do is to love ourselves and take care of ourselves as best as we see fit that suits us, and to be aware of healthy choices.

I want to share with you, from the book FAT!SO? by Marilyn Wann, other words used to describe fat people. Marilyn states in her book: "Perhaps you resist the F-word because it doesn't seem like a polite thing to say. I would argue that it's actually the least offensive, simplest word on the subject. Consider the unpleasant alternatives: Overweight. Over whose weight? Everyone has their own unique weight that's right for them. The right weight for some people means being fat, just like other people are naturally thin. Even doctors, nowadays, admit that those height/weight charts are bogus, so there really is no weight to be over. Aside from being judgmental and mean, the word overweight is just plain meaningless. Obese. This is a doctor's fancy way of saying. "I'm looking at you, and I find you disgusting. Would you like to buy this ineffective but wildly expensive weight-loss treatment? If you don't, you could die. Besides, my country club membership fees are due. "It's hard to diagnose "obesity". The number on the scale has very little to do with how healthy a person is. (FAT!SO? Marilyn Wann. Pg.19-20)  Marilyn also mentions words like heavy, large, voluptuous, zaftig, and big-boned. She believes these are euphemisms, and the only time she finds them utilized is when someone finds the truth distasteful. "there's nothing wrong with being fat, so there's nothing wrong with using the word."

Just keep an open mind and try not to cringe every time you read the word fat. Reading it is one thing, saying it out loud is another, and another step is to say it in front of someone else ?º Try it! Watch their reaction.

Examples:
Co-worker asks, "What are you doing this weekend?"
Reply, "I'm going to a fat girl party."

A personals Ad: I'm a hip happening fun loving fat chick.

You won't be hit by lightening for saying it. Take back the word FAT from those bullies who stole it!!!

Forever Fat,
Jennifer Branson
President of the International Size Acceptance Association of Canada


I recommend for any fat activist, new or old, to read Marilyn Wann's book FAT!SO?