Intersectionality Extends to Fat Acceptance Too!

And that’s really the tip of the freaking iceberg, but I hope the message is clear. For the most part, your fat acceptance movement does not speak to us, and we’re not coming until y’all work out some shit.

Drop the mic, Tara. Do the victory walk off the stage to rousing applause. You earned it.

I must say, reading the whole piece brought a smile to my face.

Tara’s post should be required reading for any movement trying to understand intersectionality issues or trying to recruit more people of color to their front lines. There are things we need you to understand.

But of course, it only takes five comments before someone starts talking reckless:

No.5 Untitled

“Racism is institutionalized into our laws, our classrooms, our work places, and our daily interactions. Just because some white folks think it’s unacceptable to say the n-word, doesn’t mean that racism is gone or that it’s not “acceptable.” When people in the fat acceptance movement say that fat is the last acceptable oppression, it alienates and invalidates the struggles of people of color, who know first-hand that racism not only exists, but that it is also very much “acceptable” in polite society.”

I actually completely disagree with this. Racism is NOT acceptable in polite society, and you know it. I’m not saying it isn’t still around, but how can you say it’s institutionalized in our laws, when specific laws have been enacted countless times that outlaw discrimination? As a white person (in the South, no less) who makes every effort to confront prejudice whenever I do see it, I just don’t see how your assertion is true. Every instance of racism I’ve ever seen has been loudly condemned from all quarters, over and over again. Workplaces and daily interactions around here are pretty much racism-free. There are no articles in the paper about the “black epidemic;” there are no websites about “how to look less ethnic;” etc. Fat prejudice is most definitely more mainstreamed, less socially acceptable, and less addressed by anti-discrimination laws than racism.

Do you really think that women of color are still excluded from what’s considered to be beautiful? All the various cultural icons who aren’t white just… don’t register with you, or are somehow presented as less than? Do you really think Halle Berry is presented as “pretty for a black girl?” I sure don’t.

I’m not mad. Just want some clarity there. Like I said, I’m white so I’m sure I don’t see it the same way you do, but come on now. It’s certainly not just all over the place like it was in the 1950′s, when my mom got in trouble for drinking from a “colored” water fountain. Is it just because I’m young? I live in a city? I’m naive somehow? You’re sounding like there’s been no progress whatsoever wrt racism in this country, and I just disagree with that.

– Fay

Did y’all catch that?

Every instance of racism I’ve ever seen has been loudly condemned from all quarters, over and over again. Workplaces and daily interactions around here are pretty much racism-free. There are no articles in the paper about the “black epidemic;” there are no websites about “how to look less ethnic;” etc.

Where the hell does she live? Can I move there?

Tara provides a response in the comments; more discussion ensues.

But, before we all roll our eyes and throw up our hands because we are sick of the same old song and dance, check out this response post on Shapely Prose.

Titled “Giving a Shit,” co-blogger Fillyjonk offers up some much needed perspective:

[A]s people who are interested in social justice, we have a responsibility to give a shit about causes other than our own major concerns. Any oppression diminishes us. I am lucky enough to have a skin color that people can ignore, a relationship that I can get officially recognized, and enough financial stability that I don’t have to worry about where the rent is coming from. That means that racism, homophobia, and classism don’t affect me as much as fatphobia and misogyny; it means I could ignore them if I wanted to. But I invite them into my consciousness, not because I’m a glutton for emotional stress, but because I want to live in a just society. And I believe a just society is one in which the concerns and the marginalization of others matter to us.

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