Pushing Back

These past few weeks since the release of the bullying propaganda in Georgia that shames Fat kids and their families have inspired many to raise their voices individually and as one entity to shout back and say “NO MORE!”

I am in awe of the inspired creativity and intelligent passion that has been put into pushing back against the latest batch of anti-fat vitriol.

The blogs, the articles, the posts, the interviews, the creation of specific counter-media have been barraging the Strong for Life campaign, each countering the false logic of Fat being bad. 

Direct Assault

Many took the fight right to CHOA and their advertising agency, letting them know through letters, emails, and phone calls that their biased ads were unacceptable as they targeted fat children and their families for disrespect, disregard, and humiliation – in short, state sponsored bullying.

Strong For Kids

One of the many strong voices of the Fat Acceptance movement, Atchka Fatty, created a Facebook page and direct counter-campaign, Strong For Kids, (which began as Scarred For Life).

This FB Page has been steadily gaining membership, providing a child and family welfare focused forum for other strong voices and minds another outlet for their understanding and wisdom of the personal and collective challenges of facing size bias.

A Stand With Marilyn

One of the Grande Dames of Fat Acceptance, Marilyn Wann, created a brilliant visual counter-argument to the CHOA ads, using their own design against them. It started with a simple photo and caption that Marilyn did herself, “I Stand/Roll for ….” She then invited others to create their own “I Stand/Roll for …” images, which has resulted in a collection of beautiful, powerful images and statements.

This new campaign, through the beauty of its pictures and words, shows the real ugliness of the Strong for Life ads by showing a variety of people with various bodies sharing messages of affirmation, empowerment, acceptance, inclusion, and love, instead of relying on hateful labeling and constructing Fat bodies as unwanted, unhealthy, and something to be ashamed of.

In addition, where Strong for Life chose to take the cheapest of shots by targeting and tearing down children, I Stand/Roll for instead builds up everyone while reaching out to children in particular, letting them know that there are far more people in this world who love them just as they are and that they are ALREADY normal, no deprivation required.

What A Wonderful World It Would Be

The counter arguments put forth by the Fat Acceptance community not only challenge the negative stereotypes about Fat bodies, they also provide a glimpse into how much better things would be if our entire society took the approach of affirmation and building each other up, accepting diversity and seeing it as a strength and an opportunity to learn and grow, as opposed to the destructive approaches that dominate now. 

How do you support Size Acceptance or acceptance in general? How do you build others up? How do you affect positive change in yourself and others?

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio with her BA and MA from the University of Akron, Mary has 20 years experience in the corporate sector working for local companies and Fortune 500s in customer service, PR, sales, advertising, and broadcast media. She currently teaches English Composition at Stark State College and UA. Her passion is living and teaching tolerance while pushing for Size Acceptance. She hopes to inform as many everyday Americans that the issue of Size is not an issue at all but merely a distraction from the real issues, such as the decline in public education, our infrastructure, economy and healthcare system. Mary loves irritating people by speaking her mind and presenting them with annoying facts, contrary opinions, and life's little ironies; when not doing that, she loves being with her family.