The cookie cutter

On Friday and Saturday I attended a Feminist conference at Sarah Lawrence called Breaking Boundaries which had speeches, panels and workshops about the diversity of bodies. Although a lot of it focused on fat bodies, there was also focus on thin bodies, disabled bodies, and racial stereotypes. 

Our bodies are all very much the same, yet unique. However it seemed that society keeps us in a very narrow cookie cutter: thin, tall, able bodied, white, if female waif and dainty, if male, muscular. However most people don't fit into that mold. I think one of the more interesting aspects of the conference was a panel run by disabled poets. One of the points brought up is if you had a choice would you not be disabled?

If you had a choice would you not be fat? Some people would say that you have a choice. You just have to eat less and exercise more and you'll be thin and svelte.  Except with statistics stating that anywhere from 85-98% of weight loss attempts fail. Despite these facts fat people are often blamed for not being able to lose weight and keep it off. There is still plenty of prejudice but fat seems to be the only acceptable prejudice because it technically can changed short termed. 

One thing never considered to affect the health care of fat people is stigma. Yet in this recent study The discrimination that obese people feel, whether it is poor service at a restaurant or being treated differently in the workplace, may have a direct impact on their physical health, according to new research from Purdue University.  However when we see studies "proving" fat is bad, stigma is rarely incorporated or given as another reason fat is bad. Fat people are expected to make themselves thin and not change the world view. Whereas someone disabled, gay, African-American etc expects the world to change (Not that it neccessarily has but in theory we are supposed to have a loving accepting rainbow world unless you are fat.)

But back to the conference. There I met some very different people. I didn't agree with everyone but I think a common thread was feeling marginalized, and being forced into this narrow cookie cutter. These are smart intelligence people who aren't looking for special rights but equal ones.  A favorite quote of mine is: "No one is free when others are oppressed"

So would I prefer to be thin? Before 2002, you betcha. After 2002 when I began reclaiming my body as my own, only on occassion, usually when bra shopping.

Comments

[Shieldmaiden1196]

That is a really interesting question. I think I'd have to say yes, I'd still want to be fat, because this body has informed so much of who I am. I think that a lot of my perspective and compassion for others stems from my own experiences, good and bad, and if I had a different body, I'd be a different person, inside and out. Not better or worse, just different. And I like who I am. Sometimes I wish I could start over and be fat BUT more enlightened re: what matters and what is a waste of time; I think I might have been happier and more peaceful overall. I would have liked to have 40 year old wisdom in my 17 year old body, but who wouldn't? :)