
“But why is a healthy, natural attraction to fat bodies so difficult for us collectively to believe? Why do we so readily accept that thin bodies are universally desired and lovable, while so certainly rejecting the same prospect for fat bodies?”
—Aubrey Gordon, What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat
Anti-fat bias is a huge problem in our society, as Aubrey Gordon points out. This reminds me of all of the ancient statues of fat gods, goddesses, and other exalted entities. To be fat was not always to be stigmatized. To be skinny was not always to be worshipped. In many cultures, it was exactly the opposite. Which just proves that there are all kinds of ways to love and revere the human body. We must actively resist what our culture is telling us about the lovability of people based on size. What a ridiculous way to view the world. All people deserve respect. All people are lovable.
We all have internalized biases of one sort or another. We can’t help it. What are yours? Can you flip them around?
Historically, having weight was a sign of prosperity and success as food wasnโt just there sitting on store shelves waiting to be gobbled. So yeah, the beauty standard has changed with the times as the middle class live today like yesterdayโs royalty. Today itโs seen as unhealthy or lazy, terms I disagree with as much of it depends on hereditary. Having weight is healthy sign as it demonstrates how efficient your digestion is and the reverse is a sign of potential issues. Iโm just rambling here, but in some arts I appreciate a toned body, it admirable and inspirational, makes me do a few more marginal squats in that gym, etc. but in real life I prefer a natural body with imperfections, flaws. Vulnerability is attractive in real life, not what someone air brushed to sell toothpaste
Yes. Truth.