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“Fat” is an adjective - not an insult.
So. I designed and impulsively posted this message last night within a 2 hour span, then promptly fell into a fabulous fatty slumber.
I had no idea upon waking this morning that it would have spawned nearly 1,000 notes overnight, but I anticipated a clear divide between those who see the truth in the message and those who reblog it simply to refute it - or to give me what they probably felt was a welcome lesson on the finer points of grammar.
As with my past viral messaging experiments, I made a bold statement and left the message up to the viewer to project their own perspective and experiences onto.
But at the same time, the design is evocative of what I believe. It is my personal perspective. It is my experience.
The image I used is a photo of my own body. My fat belly. My stretch marks. Me.
Yes, I am aware is is not SIMPLY an adjective.
Yes, I am aware that the word “fat” is multidimensional.
Let’s take a closer look at the dictionary definition of the word, to reiterate the fact that I am not fucking illiterate.
Bottom line - Fat is many things.
I choose to use it as a word to define and describe my body in a positive way.
I aim to strip the negative connotations that continually weigh the word down as a descriptor.
That was my purpose behind this message.
If you don’t understand this purpose, then consider it.
If you don’t agree with this purpose, then this message is clearly not for you.
If you agree with this purpose, then please spread it - and explain why you agree.
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I’d like to address some initial responses I’ve found in the notes that I find either intriguing or amusing. Reading into the feedback that stems from putting my messages out there like this is always such a learning experience.
THIS IS THE MOST STUPID THING I’VE EVER READ.
“Adjecive” and “insult” are not mutually exclusive, god damn it.
In fact, insults are usually adjectives. Occasionally a noun. But mostly adjectives.
Learn grammar. It helps.
Thank you for the grammar lesson and for missing the point entirely.
What? NO!
Fat is a noun. It is a substance. It is something you HAVE, not something you ARE.
It does not define you.
It is something that defines you if you choose to use it that way - and I do. Not as an insult, but as a positive descriptor. I have an abundance of fat on my body. I am fat. This word empowers me. When it is used as an insult against me, it no longer has any effect on me. That is the power we have over owning words, our bodies, and ourselves.
SERIOUSLY!!!! THIS!!! SO MUCH!!!
I hate it when I call myself fat and people are like “don’t be so hard on yourself”. I’M SERIOUSLY NOT! I’M FAT! I DON’T GIVE A FUCK! Guess why? BECAUSE I KNOW I’M FUCKING BEAUTIFUL!!! I JUST WEIGH MORE THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON OF MY HEIGHT, AND I’D RATHER SAY THE WORD ‘FAT’ THAN THAT WHOLE SENTENCE. SO FUCK YOU.
Thank you for sharing an experience that aligns with my intent.
the why do i feel akward and search for another word everytime i think about it?
Because the word carries with it a lot of negative baggage. It makes people feel uncomfortable. It’s time to consider the fact that the negative baggage can be removed, the more we use the word within a positive context.
I would even go so far as to say it is a noun, not an adjective :)
You HAVE fat, YOU are not fat.
Yes, a body contains fat. When a body contains a certain amount of fat, a person may consider defining themselves as fat. We have the power to describe and define ourselves.
This word lose its “power” when we realize that our weight can’t define us…
In my experience, the moment I stopped letting my weight define me in a NEGATIVE way was the moment I decided to use the word “fat” to define my weight and my body in a POSITIVE way. My weight does not define me, my health, or my worth - but it is a part of my identity, an external aspect of my character, and I find nothing wrong with using it in that way.
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Sometimes I think perhaps I should include a description of my intent along with these things - but then, where is the fun in that? :3
Thank you, all.
Haley