"Acceptable Prejudice?" Chapters 1-5

I have begun reading, "Acceptable Prejudice? Fat, Rhetoric, and Social Justice" by Lonie McMichael, PHD.  It is still available for free on Kindle for one more day if you are interested in downloading it and joining in the discussion.

I think what I will do is break the book up into chapters and as I reach the end of the chapter, I will blog about parts that stuck out to me and pose questions to everyone to see if we can start a dialogue. This topic of weight bias or prejudice is quite interesting to me for many reasons.  The main being that it is something I have lived with my whole life.  It's the idea that I am inferior to others because of my size.  From my first mainstream diet in fifth grade, I have been quite aware of my 'problem' and have fantasized about what my life will be like when I am 'normal'.  Thus causing a massive diet mentality that I am trying to now overcome.

So let's dive in.  Chapters 1 & 2 are a bit of a pain.  They are written like a textbook, as my friend Becky said, and are really...not necessary to the overall conversation of the book.  So feel free to skip or skim to get to "Chapter 3: Fat, Fat Acceptance, Fat Pride, & Fat Liberation".

First thing's first....the word 'fat' is freely used throughout this book and I found myself cringing a lot at first and it occurred to me that this word alone is part of the prejudice this book is about.  As a young child, being called fat was an insult that left me feeling terrible.  As a adult, I've adopted the word 'overweight' to describe myself or others because I felt it was a softer word to land on.  But is it really?  The word 'overweight' implies that the person is 'over the normal'.  So right there, I am perpetuating the prejudice, am I not?  As I read further in the book, I get more comfortable with the word 'fat'.

Question 1:  What are your thoughts on the words 'fat' and 'overweight'?

Chapter 3 discusses the fat acceptance movements that began years ago.  Individuals trying to rally others to be aware of fat prejudices and to begin accepting every size.  One person states, "The word “acceptance” makes me feel like I have to compromise my value, because as a fat person I am devalued. And I want no part of that."

Question 2:  Isn't the overcoming of prejudice a form of acceptance?  Can the two be separated?

Chapter 4 is simply an overview of the project that this book is about, so fast forward to "Chapter 5: The Myth of Justified Oppression".  Here is where the book starts to get interesting.  This chapter begins by laying out two myths: "Fat is unhealthy in and of itself, and anyone can be thin permanently if they eat right and exercise."  These concepts aren't new to me as I read about them in Linda Bacon's "Health at Every Size", which is discussed later in this chapter and later in the book.  We also discussed the first myth at Green Mountain.

I feel strongly about the first myth, fat is unhealthy in and of itself, because I am a generally healthy person in regards to sicknesses.  Ever since I was a child, I have rarely visited doctors for illnesses aside from the occasional cold or sinus infection.  I do not have diabetes or high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  Every now and then I will sprain my ankle, but other than that my joints are healthy.  I can move with ease and the only thing holding me back from running a 5k is my shortness of breath due to carrying around the extra weight.  But that doesn't stop me from walking a 5k.

The three main diseases associated with being fat, I think, are the three I listed above, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  But actually, those three things have nothing to do with your body shape.  How many people do you know who suffer from those who are not overweight?  Two have to do with what foods you put in your mouth and one has to do with your daily stress (one stress could be your weight, of course).  It's true that some people who are fat eat poorly (lots of sugar or foods high in cholesterol) so those cause them to get the diseases, not the fat itself.  The fat is another symptom of those foods.  In reality, it may be the first symptom/warning that your body gives you to cut out that particular behavior.  I know that in the time in my life when I was dancing around high blood pressure, I first noticed my middle grow in size.  My body was telling me to cut out the stress before something worse came along.

Question 3:  This chapter also delves into research that shows people who are fat have a better chance of surviving illnesses.  Have you experienced or witnessed this in action?

Finally, the myth that fat is changeable.  For someone who is deep in diet mentality, this is the hardest to grasp.  Again, a topic that was highly discussed in HAES and one that I have touched on before.  I think these sentences really nail it on the head, "The underlying reason for justifying this prejudice lies in the belief that fat is permanently changeable. We have not, however, found a method that keeps weight off for the majority of individuals."  It's true.  If it could be done, we wouldn't be having this conversation.  This chapter also states, "I have found that our society refuses to see a pretty solid truth: fat is seldom permanently eradicated. Our bodies are made to hold onto weight, not to let weight go. Some people believe there is a magic way to lose weight, and we have just not yet found the right combination of foods and exercises. Evidence suggests otherwise."

Question 4:  If you are someone who 'struggles' and is deep in diet mentality, how does this statement make you feel?

Okay, I think that is a long enough post.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on these questions as they are ones I struggle with and hope to find more clarity.  The next discussion on "Acceptable Prejudice?" will focus on Chapters 6-8.  I hope you can join in with your thoughts!  The book is available for free until July 9th on Kindle.


McMichael Ph.D., Lonie (2013-06-25). Acceptable Prejudice? Fat, Rhetoric and Social Justice (Kindle Locations 260-262). Pearlsong Press. Kindle Edition.