Fat Chicks Rule

Your regularly scheduled blog post this week will be on Tuesday evening next Monday. Same fat time, same fat blog.  Sorry for the inconvenience. It's been a hectic week.

Here's an old diet ad that was posted on the fat studies list.

Death Defying Meat!

So I finally sat down and watched "Super Size Me".  About 95% is the same shit different day.  I had to force myself to sit through it although I was ready to shut it off within five minutes as soon as I heard the debunked "Obesity kills 400,000!"

What I got from the movie is that fat people are not only at fault for eating junk food but we are nothing but fat bellies and asses.   I for one am tired of being an object to be targeted by everyone and blamed for every single ailment out there (the movie has a segment which pretty much blames all physical illnesses on being fat).

The only thing this movie did for me was cure insomnia and give me another reason to dislike Subway Jared (btw  the narrator never groups Subway with the other fast food chains).  Jared essentially told an impressionable young girl that she can’t change the world, she is the one that has to change. 

The narrator of the movie who’s name I forgot gained about 25lbs and  he lost most of it in five months when he stopped eating McDonalds.   It actually goes with the study done in the fifties that it is actually HARD to gain weight and easy to lose if you are genetically slim.

The movie has one kudos.  He actually devoted about 2 minutes (of a 98 minute movie) on the enormous pressure on teenage girls to be thin.

So if you stop eating McDonalds you will become thin, I kid you not.  As I said same shit, different day.

And speaking of SSDD.  PETA is bashing fat folks again.  They thinks that the law in Mississippi should be changed not so  much that fat people can't be served but they should only be served vegan food (Because there are no fat vegetarians and no thin meat eaters).  I think PETA should go about their normal business of killing the animals they promise to find homes for.

Phat Poetry

Yesterday I participated in an event called Phat Poetry  It was a beautiful, awe inspiring event featuring strong beautiful women.   It was truly inspirational.   I left the event feeling like I was walking on air and I could take on the worst in fat discrimination and stick where the sun don't shine.  We need more events like this.

I promise that in today's blog I'd give each lady an unshameless plug for helping in the fight for size acceptance and for doing a beautiful performance. 

Aja Stubbs of Belle Noir was the organizer, The event was hosted by comedienne Erica Watson, Performers included Raqui of Large In Charge online zine; Spanish Superfly Lynx; Corrina from this Lust Life (who is also a big fan of my book); Renee Jennings of radio show Sarcasm with no Chaser ; La'Shawnda Jones of Jazzy Media who is committed to creating healthy self-esteem for all women and poet Brenda's Child.

Also in attendance was filmmaker Kira Nerusskayawho making a documentary the BBW World.

Support these performers! They are wonderful and talented! 

And speaking of more events like this.

On Saturday Feb 16th, Kimberly Brittingham will be performing at the Bowery Poetry Club from 12-3 as part of an event called "Paper Dolls Live Lady Essayists"

On Saturday Feb 23 will be a one day conference "Fat and Queer" featuring Marilyn Wann

The Mississippi Food Police

Before I begin today's rant, I think to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments and intelligent responses to some mean comments on my blog.  I tend to leave most comments on my blog whether they are negative or positive. I do delete spam, weight loss ads, and any comments that are cruel.

Now speaking of cruel.  A Mississippi "lawmakers" have decided you may be too fat to eat out.
From the article by Sandy Szwarc: House Bill 282 was introduced in the 2008 legislative session on Friday by Representative W.T. Mayhall, Jr., a retired pharmaceutical salesman with DuPont-Merk. Its co-authors are Bobby Shows, a businessman, and John Read, a pharmacist."

The preamble of the bill itself:
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FROM SERVING FOOD TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OBESE, BASED ON CRITERIA PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE WRITTEN MATERIALS THAT DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A PERSON IS OBESE AND TO PROVIDE THOSE MATERIALS TO THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

When it was quite obvious there is no way in hell something like this would pass, John Banzhaf a "consumer advocate" (who was unsuccessful in suing big foods) believes the bills can be salvaged if the focus is changed to fat children.  If a server at a fast food chain (obviously an expert in obesity) thinks that the kid is fat they shouldn't be served any meal that might be high in calories.

I think neither would have a chance to pass.  One good thing us fatties have is that the restaurant lobby is often on our side and they would fight this tooth and nail that people no matter what their size can eat anywhere they want and how much they want.

The kid thing is a little scarier.  Mostly because it's an easy card to play.  No one wants anything bad to happen to children (except inadequate schools, no health care and lack of food for about 10 million kids ).   A law like this would lead to disordered eating and low self-esteem.  You really think a fat kid will feel great and motivated when some server at Taco Bell says he's too fat to get Nachos bella grande.   Meanwhile his thin friends can get whatever they want because they are naturally slim.   Not being able to eat in public can lead to eating disorders. As the person will instead binge in private. I know because I was one of them.  When I dieted I ate beautifully in public. Lots of salads, fruits and small portions.  When I was alone it was a massive binge. 

It shouldn't be up to some food server to decide who can or cannot eat.  The parents and schools need to teach kids of ALL SIZES to eat well balanced meals (i.e. Lunch shouldn't be only carrot sticks), junk food in moderation and movement.  If lawmakers really wanted to do something that could actually be helpful for a change they could make sure schools were fully funded to ofter nutritious (and tasty) meals and regular PE classes.

While this bill has no hope of passing, please let the sponsors and supports know that it is not only a violation of civil rights, forced segregation, it is also plain cruel.