As I’ve said elsewhere, we’ve got two prime “opportunities” to fight for our lives—against the CDC’s “LEAN Works” program and, especially, against the harassment, discrimination and potentially deadly junk science inherent in ObamaCare.  I’ve been trying for decades to get legitimate, tangible activism going for fat people, and have seen nothing but “personal empowerment” and self-comforting, and endless, endless goings on about clothes and sex and television television television. And, while I’m personally convinced the era of identity politics has passed, we could even be fighting to get weight added to the lists of protected classes at the Federal level. Or fighting to get the truth out about gastrointestinal mutilation (aka. weight “loss” surgery). Instead, nothing. (Look at the INDD discussion here—most of the people chickened out with responses about “Every Day Being No Diet Day”. No public, off campus, mainstream, risky activism ANYWHERE.)

I’ve put out numerous calls for various actions and efforts, and get a few responses a la “Yeah, you should do something. I’ll root for you while I’m watching television.” No volunteers. Nobody willing to show up in the real world for meetings. Nobody willing to work for SPECIFIC legislation, or actions, or in protest of SPECIFIC government policies. Nobody even willing to work to support individuals facing discrimination. Just more and more and more me-me-me-me “empowerment” and fashion shows and television television television.

So, what will it take? Why are so many “fat activists” so stuck on themselves, and unable to think politically? How many more of us will wind up mutilated or maimed or disabled or murdered before we finally start fighting back FOR REAL. When are we going to get over the egotistical MYTHS that what we wear or eat or watch on TV or sign slacktivist message board petitions about has ANYTHING to do with fat activism? When will we cut through this cowardly egotism and start working for REAL change???

Any responses claiming that “feeling better about myself” will be enough to change the world will be IGNORED.

Your frustration is palpable, and I’m grateful that you’ve spoken up about this concern. As I’m relatively new to Fat Activism, I haven’t experienced these aspects of it (dare I say, yet), and it’s good to hear a displeased voice for a few reasons: 1. it helps me better understand the spectrum of Fat Activist experiences out there, 2. it reveals a side of this reality I hadn’t been exposed to, and 3. it serves as a sort of spurring wake-up call to the needs that exist.

I am young and idealistic (some would call that dangerous combination naive), and I think that Fat Activism will happen in a more tangible way. I also hope that occurs sooner rather than later. How it’s to come about, however, I don’t know.

I can’t speak for the people who were willing to support you verbally while you tried to have real meetings, hoped to create specific counter legislation and lobby the right people to do the right thing, but I can recognize how disappointing that must have been, both for you and the movement. I do know that I am willing to be involved not just in chat forums and feel goodery (despite maintaining the belief that that’s important because people can hardly fight for themselves if they don’t care about themselves), but also in concrete on the ground action.

I will be attending NAAFA this year, and by far I am most excited for the visit to the Hill. I will report back and let you know how the preparations for that go and how the visit goes - whether or not it targets specifics and has concrete goals, etc.

I know that you were asking when Fat Activism will actually materialize as something concrete, and I don’t mean to turn the question around on you. However, I do want to say that I’d like to discuss where we take things and how we take them there. I’m not filled with ideas for process, but I’m excellent at executing and would love to know what your thoughts are. I’m not saying not to be disillusioned with the process thus far - I just hope you don’t give up yet. By what you’re saying, it sounds like the movement can’t afford to lose someone with your fervor.

I’m almost fifty years old, and over the past thirty years have created on-campus support groups, been intereviewed on television, written for magazines and newspapers, written dozens of letters and emails, edited newsletters, protested in from of State and Federal buildings all in the name of fat people’s civils rights and welfare. I’ve also been hit on by innumerable fetishists, and sat patiently trying again and again to get back on track conversations that were supposed to be about fat activism but which had instead devolved into yet another discussion of sex, television and egocentric personal “feelings”. Again and again, I’ve seen what were supposed to be activist groups (not just NAAFA) devolve into cliques where only a tiny handful of people knew what, if anything, was going on; where there was no regular reporting to the general membership; where one or two people insisted on doing (and controlling) everything, and kept any further innovation or action from happening because they refused to work with committees; and where public outreach and media interaction were nonexistent.

Yes, I’m beyond burned out.

I have no ideas left. When I’ve pushed “nicely”, I’ve been ignored. When I’ve pushed harder, I’ve pissed off the cliques. And, breaking through the wall of sex/clothes/television/egocentrism has, so far, been impossible. I’m willing to listen to any new idea, so long as it really is new, and not just the same old same old.