What I’m about to express is not a proclamation of my own perfection. I fully admit that I have been complicit in the exclusion of my fellow fat individuals. Today, I come with humility, acknowledging that there is significant room for improvement.
It is essential to confront the pervasive ableism within the body positivity and fat positivity movements. You can begin by exploring and following some of the influencers I’ve highlighted below, and seek out countless more from there.
For several years, I’ve been reflecting on body image in relation to living in a fat body. With 36 years of lived experience, I have spent recent years making peace with my body size. This journey doesn’t always equate to unbridled love for every part of my reflection; rather, it signifies a core belief that my body is worthy and that I can have a fulfilling life within it, just as it is. I have opened my eyes to the anti-fat messages perpetuated by diet culture throughout my life, and I now reject the notion that I am less valuable, less beautiful, or less deserving of happiness compared to those who are thin.
I’ve learned to exist in my body without intense self-loathing, and I advocate for every fat person’s right to live peacefully in their own bodies, regardless of any desire for thinness.
I have often emphasized that fat does not equal unhealthy. Health can vary across all body sizes, and the obsession with health is fundamentally unjust. Many individuals live with chronic illnesses that prevent them from achieving a “perfect” health status at any weight. Basic respect should never hinge on one’s health. Fat individuals don’t owe anyone a pristine health record to deserve kindness and fairness, even in medical contexts. We are whole individuals, and we don’t need to shrink to claim our space.
While I strive to maintain an approachable tone when discussing fatness, I recognize the importance of deeper scholarly discussions about the politics and history of fatness, including the intersections of racism and fatphobia. My simpler voice plays a role, welcoming those who might not yet believe in the goodness of their bodies. It is my hope that they will eventually delve into more complex aspects of this subject.
However, despite my years of dialogue on this topic, I often find myself centering able-bodied, neurotypical, and seemingly healthy fat individuals. I consciously avoid defaulting to showcasing only white bodies and actively uplift LGBTQIA+ voices. Yet, when it comes to the disabled community, I frequently overlook their experiences, which is undeniably unfair.
In the past, I may have occasionally highlighted a fat woman with a limb difference or a wheelchair user, but have I truly amplified their voices beyond mere representation? Have I actively sought out disabled or neurodiverse people in fat bodies to hear their stories? No, I haven’t.
It’s not sufficient to simply acknowledge that disabled fat individuals exist. Their journeys in fat bodies differ from mine, and I cannot genuinely assert that all bodies are good bodies if I continue to neglect disabled voices in discussions surrounding fatness.
I am not alone in this oversight; the fat-positive community often overlooks disabled individuals. When I solicited suggestions for disabled fat influencers to follow on social media, I received absolutely no responses. Zero.
This is unacceptable. Recognizing my blindness to this issue compels me to take action in my own work. I am committed to actively pursuing opportunities that highlight the experiences of individuals belonging to both the fat-positive and disabled communities. It’s uncomfortable to admit my shortcomings, but it’s essential to move past excuses and focus on incorporating narratives from those with chronic illnesses or disabilities into my work.
I have a few ideas already forming. While I cannot change my past mistakes, there is no excuse for them. I can and will do better.
The fat positivity movement has provided me with a sense of community and belonging, allowing me to shed the constraints imposed by diet culture. Everyone in a fat body deserves the opportunity to feel the same. We cannot claim to be fat positive while only embracing certain types of fat bodies.
We must do better—without question.
For further exploration of related topics, check out this post about the importance of inclusivity in the fat-positive community here. Additionally, if you’re interested in authoritative information on home insemination, visit Make a Mom. For a deeper understanding of genetics and its implications, the Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource.
Potential Search Queries:
- How to promote inclusivity in fat positivity?
- Understanding ableism in body positivity movements.
- Resources for disabled fat influencers.
- The intersection of disability and body image.
- How to be an ally in the fat-positive community.
Summary:
The article emphasizes the need to address ableism within the body positivity and fat positivity movements. It reflects on the author’s personal journey toward self-acceptance while recognizing the importance of amplifying the voices of disabled individuals in these discussions. Acknowledging past oversights, the author commits to actively pursuing inclusivity and representation, stressing that true fat positivity must encompass all body types, including those of disabled individuals.