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Re: Do you ever feel discriminated against due to weight?
Brook & Others....
It IS representative of the attitude in NAAFA to hate DIETING. However, I was respected because I had made a lifestyle change, not trying to DIET, per se. I also didn't look down my nose at the 500, 600, & 700 pound people, even though compared to them I was the "small one." Actually, most of them ate less than I did as an Atkins dieter!
I really joined NAAFA to do some activist work. I had experienced discrimination in a former job situation and had seen alot of hatred come my way. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Chapter of NAAFA is very SOCIAL, more than activist. I have a huge social circle from my musical theatre work and although I did attend some activities, it just didn't do much for me.
I still feel strongly about the way large folks are treated in our society. I have been known to confront radio personalities on the air for doing fat jokes, and writing letters when I feel something discriminatory has taken place. AS a society, everyone is so willing to protect what they see as "Downtrodden", except my feeling is when they see someone fat, they are afraid it is going to happen to them.
As a fat woman, I have noticed that I am much more apt to be made fun of and persecuted when I am dressed up nicely. People WANT me to run around in t-shirts and sweats all the time. It frightens them to see a large woman look nice. Yet, when I run out to the store in my PJ bottoms and sweatshirt, I blend in...
I can't tell you the number of times that children...tiny children 2 & 3 years old look at me and point and say something nasty about me being fat. Where did they learn this? From the anorexic mother holding their hand, smiling at me apologetically. I have actually asked a few...Did you teach them that??? How often do children hear their mother freak out about being fat? That's why big kids are so oppressed in schools!
I could go on and on about what I have learned...
No matter what I get down to (my goal is a size 14...still fat for some people) I will never ever forget this issue and always be the first to defend fat people. As I leave more and more pounds behind I am more determined to change things.
=LowCarbInCleveland- I'd be interested to know why you're not still a member of NAAFA and what your experiences are within the organization. I have a friend that's a member of NAAFA - or should say I "had" a friend. Remarkably, her hatred of diets and those of us that have lost weight strongly resembles the very discrimination she's so actively fighting against. I found it interesting. Obviously I don't think her attitude is representative of those in NAAFA, but I'm interested to hear your experiences 
It IS representative of the attitude in NAAFA to hate DIETING. However, I was respected because I had made a lifestyle change, not trying to DIET, per se. I also didn't look down my nose at the 500, 600, & 700 pound people, even though compared to them I was the "small one." Actually, most of them ate less than I did as an Atkins dieter!
I really joined NAAFA to do some activist work. I had experienced discrimination in a former job situation and had seen alot of hatred come my way. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Chapter of NAAFA is very SOCIAL, more than activist. I have a huge social circle from my musical theatre work and although I did attend some activities, it just didn't do much for me.
I still feel strongly about the way large folks are treated in our society. I have been known to confront radio personalities on the air for doing fat jokes, and writing letters when I feel something discriminatory has taken place. AS a society, everyone is so willing to protect what they see as "Downtrodden", except my feeling is when they see someone fat, they are afraid it is going to happen to them.
As a fat woman, I have noticed that I am much more apt to be made fun of and persecuted when I am dressed up nicely. People WANT me to run around in t-shirts and sweats all the time. It frightens them to see a large woman look nice. Yet, when I run out to the store in my PJ bottoms and sweatshirt, I blend in...
I can't tell you the number of times that children...tiny children 2 & 3 years old look at me and point and say something nasty about me being fat. Where did they learn this? From the anorexic mother holding their hand, smiling at me apologetically. I have actually asked a few...Did you teach them that??? How often do children hear their mother freak out about being fat? That's why big kids are so oppressed in schools!
I could go on and on about what I have learned...
No matter what I get down to (my goal is a size 14...still fat for some people) I will never ever forget this issue and always be the first to defend fat people. As I leave more and more pounds behind I am more determined to change things.
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