askallthequestions:

OCCUPY HATEFUL COMMUNITIES

TW: FAT SHAMING

As a follower of Occupy Monsanto on facebook, I am extremely upset and saddened by their cruel acts of public fat shaming. They posted the image only a few hours ago at this link (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=379878695420752&set=a.182339481841342.43482.182336115175012&type=1&theater)

So I commented on the photo, and then sent a long message to the page admins. I really hope people start speaking up against fat shaming in well-intended communities that seem to be ignorant of the violence they are participating in. This is the message that I sent them:

“Hello

I’m not sure who to direct this message to. But I am writing to you as someone who believes in participating in local and sustainable food systems. I also am very much against Monsanto, which is why I support this page.

The reason I am writing to you, however, is because I am in recovery from a lifetime of disordered eating and disordered body image. You recently posted a picture of the human evolution of Mcdonald’s consumers, which evoked a lot of feelings of shame and then anger for me. I am a size acceptance and fat acceptance advocate. This image is harmful for people of all body types, because most people do not fit within the standardized and idealized body type that this image seems to support.

It’s very very personally upsetting to me that such a strong and valid movement would take part in a violent act of fat shaming. Not only does this personally affect me, it also represents a wider idea that fat people are not accepted in the local food movements. It seems like this image suggests that Occupy Monsanto does not welcome supporters who are large.

I don’t know if this was your intention. And I definitely do not intend for this message to be taken as a non-constructive rant. I would really appreciate a public apology and some support for the fat acceptance movement. We are people who deserve to stand up for our health rights in a dignified way amongst a compassionate and accepting community.

Laura Grossman”

Additionally, Alice Waters is hosting a speaker about childhood obesity. And this is my comment to her on facebook:

“FIGHTING OBESITY IS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE ON PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES. PLEASE SUPPORT THE FAT ACCEPTANCE AND HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE MOVEMENTS. WE’RE ALL WORKING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE, FOR PEOPLE OF ALL SIZES. NOW LET’S PLEASE START ACTING LIKE IT!”

I am so upset right now. Not only does this DISORDERED CULTURE violently bully, shame and humiliate people of all sizes, but the local food movements forget to welcome people of all walks of life into their communities. I AM SO CONFUSED! AREN’T WE ALL TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE?