ANGRY. FAT. FEMALE. ANGRY. FAT. FEMALE.

from EXTENDED: Body Diversity in Media

suits

I ’ m tired of being the target of your negativity and hate . I ’ m angry that you don ’ t see this as a problem . But mostly , I ’ m afraid . Afraid to travel , to be out of my comfort zone , to find love and feel like I deserve it , and you are the reason I am terrified to do so . You , the everyday person , whet her White , Black , fat , thin or som ething in between , contribute to my pain .

Your actions as a consumer and cit i zen express a global opinion ; unfortunately , they prioritize thinness . The world is created to comfort the fortunate , making seats that fit the “ average , ” creating fashion trends that exclude the majority of people in the world or using outdated science to determine health .

On a daily basis , fat people are tormented and discriminated costing them jobs and making them the bud of harmful jokes . People continue to use fat as a scapegoat for their insecurities , comparing their bodies to skewed media that corrupts our understanding of fatness and blatantly ignores those who are technically Fat ( people that buy and need plus - size clothing ). The countlesss moments where my friends call themselves fat in a negative way, thus villainizing my body, continue to perpetuate my hate for my body and my hatred for myself. How does one even try to be confident when the world constantly tells me I can’t be, and even when we try, we are faced with high expectations that are impossible to achieve. If I’m fat, I must work out or maintain the highest hygiene and show that I’m at least attempting to change myself. And again, if I try to be positive and confident, I glorify obesity, but I’m just trying to live.

Bettering yourself? What does that mean, and why do we spend our lives trying to better ourselves? Does working out better you, or would it be better to be educated?

Even though education comes at the price of comfort. Public and private schools cater their needs to the masses rather than individuals providing ablest frameworks that discriminate against others that cannot fit. How can I learn when lecture halls are designed for one shape and size? It is hard to make friends when you cannot work in the seat beside them. Or try focusing on an exam at a desk where your thighs refuse to fit. Does asking to be included need to be that difficult? Can we not create seats or spaces where everyone can feel like they deserve education without being forced out?

I blame you because you aren’t aware. That’s the problem. You unconsciouly typecast me and assume things of me based on my appearance, yet, we learn from a young age not to judge books by their cover, but that excludes me, right? Your parents, grandparents, friends and media shove anti-fat messages down your throat before you can even write, so it makes sense that you hate my body. I wish it weren’t your fault, but you have choices and the ability to be better, so try to be. Become aware of my experience and change your language. Don’t tell me

I’m pretty for a bigger girl. Tell me

I’m beautiful.

Your inner hate for yourself isn ’ t a reason to hate me . Learn to look past your looks and image to see happiness . My happiness . But how could a fat girl be happier than you ?

Don ’ t use fat as a negative . Don ’ t label my clothing as an oversized trend that thin individuals can exploit . Stop popularizing clothing that excludes me and the micro - trends that come and go so fast that fat people can never be considered in style . If you thrift , don ’ t thrift my size . Leave me what I can find so I can at least have something . Provide me with clothes . Provide me with options . Provide a life that is equal to yours .