Let’s get right to it! Crazy things going on in the world of fat and body issues:
- Some jerk in Norway is suggesting that airlines charge fat people more to fly. He’s proposed several theories on how this might work exactly, but they all boil down to the idea that fat people should pay more to fly than thin people. I wonder where the line will be drawn. Who decides what constitutes fat and thin? And should we take bets on whether or not this economist is thin? [UPDATE: Just to clarify, this guy is not talking about fat people paying for two seats if they can’t fit in one. He means that everyone he considers fat should just plain pay more for one seat.]
- Victoria’s Secret is promoting their line of lingerie, sweatpants, and shirts aimed at young teen girls. This letter from a concerned father really puts things into perspective. Here’s a quote from the letter, describing the kind of merchandise VS wants to sell to your girls: The line will be called “Bright Young Things” and will feature “lace black cheeksters with the word “Wild” emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with “Feeling Lucky?” and a lace trim thong with the words, “Call me” on the front.” Wow, remember when you could just enjoy being a kid at 12 or 13, and not having a clue what sexy even meant?
- A woman in Australia found a list on the floor of her daughter’s room, outlining her diet and exercise plan. The daughter is seven years old. Seven! I guess we shouldn’t be surprised; diet culture pervades every nook and cranny of our lives. Still, it’s overwhelming and disheartening to hear that approximately 80% of all 10-year-old girls have been on a diet.
What can you do to combat all this craziness? Remind your children – and yourself – that you are okay exactly as you are. That being thin and sexy are not your life’s goals, and will not make you smarter, happier, kinder, or a better person. Stop giving your money to places that fat shame and try to turn your little girls into tiny sex objects. Speak up about discriminatory policies. Use your voice, your keyboard, and your wallet to help make this a world that embraces and respects people of all shapes and sizes.
