Don’t know who did the survey – it was years ago sometime in the 90s, I’m going on what the Body Shop quoted in its fabulous little book on body love and self-esteem that they had out at the time. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the figures were higher now, to judge from some of the things I hear. Sick, sick, sick.

I have a great-nephew just over 1 year old, and I’ve already had snide comments from my mother to the effect that he’s ‘fat’. He’s actually a big kid all ways, as is more or less everyone on my dad’s side of the family. And he’s a sweet little guy. The fact that she’s hung up on something so superficial in a baby, FFS, says so much more about her.

I told my mom my epiphany, thinking she’d be thrilled that I would give her grandchildren (eventually). I don’t know when I’ve seen her look so hurt and sad, just knowing I would think such superficial (though difficult) things would be worth not creating life over.

IMHO, nobody should let her “concerned” friends and family breed since they’ll only produce mean, judgmental beast children to terrorize the earth. If we’re going to be having a citizen’s eugenics squad, let’s start with the things that matter and stop the meanies. :-)

What is wrong with these people???

Oh wow. Yes they are. I hadn’t realized this but you’re absolutely right.

I, too, have been struck by how easy it is for people to accept the “fat is genetic” argument when it’s easy/funny/convenient for them. Like, if I say it, I’m just a fatty looking for excuses. But when Ben Stiller makes a joke in his shitball comedy about how his wife is going to get fat like her mama? That’s just SO TRUE!

Of the many ways to approach the issue, I’m most fond of this one: realizing what your nearest and dearest have just said to your face, and sitting here speechless.

Seriously! I can’t believe the nerve of some people! Don’t they realise that what they are basically saying to this poor woman is: “It would be better if you had never been born”? It’s just… it’s cruel. And presumptuous… even with all the baggage that comes with being fat in our society, I am still very happy to be alive and very grateful that my fat parents chose to concieve me.

Also? Doesn’t this whole: “Fat people shouldn’t reproduce and bring more fat people into the world” idea contradict the: “Fat isn’t genetic, that’s just an excuse for people who are too lazy to change” idea?

All that being said! I agree that Carolyn Hax had a great response.

As a side note: the newspaper I write for has a daily Guest Speaker editorial column, in which community members are invited to speak their mind on any subject they choose. You don’t have to be a professional writer, just one who can clearly and succinctly argue their points within 400 – 500 words. I’m sure other papers have a similar platform. I would encourage more people to take advantage of media resources like this at their disposal. There’s so much bias against fat in the media and here’s a perfect chance to present an alternate point of view.

Yeah, but a lot of people find us easy to dismiss. We’re just fatties trying to make excuses for our failures, or we’re radicals who are too caught up in our cause to listen to reason, or whatever. Harder to write off an unaffiliated thin person with a syndicated column. Or at least that’s what I choose to believe, having avoided the comments.