Enough with the fear of fat | Kelli Jean Drinkwater

Summary

In this powerful and personal talk, the speaker addresses the societal issue of fatphobia, exploring the systemic biases that dehumanize fat people. Through humor and vulnerability, she reflects on her own journey of body acceptance and fat activism. She advocates for body autonomy, self-love, and challenges harmful societal standards that link moral value and success to body size. The talk highlights the importance of reclaiming space, from fashion to performance, for fat bodies, and the need to celebrate diverse bodies in all their forms.

Takeaways

• 😀 The word 'fat' carries significant social stigma, but it is a powerful term that many fear becoming.
• 😀 Fatphobia is deeply ingrained in society, influencing everything from media portrayal to public health policies.
• 😀 Being fat is often equated with laziness, greed, and poor health, while thinness is associated with success and control.
• 😀 The speaker identifies as a radical fat activist, rejecting societal norms and embracing her body as it is.
• 😀 Fatphobia affects not only how fat people are treated but also how individuals internalize judgments about their own bodies.
• 😀 At a young age, the speaker embraced her body by demanding space for herself, which became the first step toward activism.
• 😀 The speaker's journey of body-acceptance has been a long process of deprogramming societal biases and rejecting body shaming.
• 😀 Activism within the fat community includes celebrating diverse body types, promoting mental and physical well-being, and rejecting restrictive beauty standards.
• 😀 Fat individuals, such as fat athletes and fat fashionistas, challenge stereotypes by engaging in activities that defy societal expectations of what fat bodies can do.
• 😀 The speaker believes that body autonomy is crucial and that people should be free to make whatever changes to their bodies they desire, without judgment.
• 😀 Art and performances, such as the fat fem synchronized swim team and the dance work 'Nothing to Lose,' play a vital role in reclaiming spaces and challenging societal norms about fat bodies.
• 😀 Despite facing criticism and even threats for her activism, the speaker continues to advocate for fat rights and challenges the fear-driven narratives surrounding fatness.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'capital F-A-T' when describing themselves?

The speaker uses 'capital F-A-T' to emphasize their unapologetic identity as a fat person. Unlike more socially acceptable terms like 'chubby' or 'curvaceous', 'capital F-A-T' directly addresses the societal stigma attached to being fat, reclaiming the term with confidence.

How does the speaker describe the societal perception of fat people?

The speaker highlights that society often views fat people as lazy, greedy, unhealthy, and morally flawed. In contrast, thinness is associated with positive traits like success, responsibility, and control. This systemic bias, referred to as fatphobia, shapes how fat people are treated and how they view themselves.

What is fatphobia, and how is it connected to other forms of oppression?

Fatphobia is the societal fear and discrimination against fat people. It is deeply rooted in systems like capitalism, patriarchy, and racism, which perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. This makes fatphobia difficult to challenge because it is intertwined with these larger societal structures.

What personal experience does the speaker share to highlight early body shaming?

The speaker recalls being excluded from a ballet performance as a child because no tutu was large enough for them. This moment marks the first recognition of their body being seen as different or inadequate, setting the stage for their later activism.

How does the speaker define their activism, and what role does art play in it?

The speaker defines their activism as engaging in activities that defy societal expectations for fat people, such as performing in spaces that typically exclude larger bodies. Art plays a crucial role in this activism, helping reclaim space and visibility for fat people through creative expression, like their work with the 'AQUAPORKO!' synchronized swim team and dance performances.

What does the speaker mean by 'radical body politics'?

Radical body politics refers to challenging societal norms and advocating for the acceptance of all body types. It is about rejecting the shame and stigma associated with fatness and embracing bodies as they are, regardless of their size or conformity to mainstream beauty standards.

How does the speaker view health and well-being in relation to body size?

The speaker advocates for a more holistic understanding of health, one that goes beyond BMI charts. They emphasize the importance of mental health, self-worth, and how individuals feel in their bodies, rather than focusing solely on physical appearance or weight.

What impact did the 'Nothing to Lose' dance production have, and what controversies did it spark?

'Nothing to Lose' was a groundbreaking production featuring fat dancers, which challenged the traditional notions of who can be a dancer. It sparked controversy due to skepticism about the stamina and training of fat dancers, but it became a sellout hit and received rave reviews. The show changed many people's perceptions of fat bodies and their place in the arts.

What was the public's reaction to the speaker's fat activism, and how did they respond to criticism?

While the speaker received overwhelming support from people who felt empowered by their activism, they also faced severe criticism, including violent death threats and accusations of glorifying obesity. Despite this, the speaker remained steadfast in their mission to challenge fatphobia and promote self-acceptance.

Why does the speaker criticize the diet industry, and what is their message about self-acceptance?

The speaker criticizes the diet industry for profiting off people’s insecurities and perpetuating harmful body ideals. They argue that many people are trapped in a cycle of self-loathing, constantly striving to become the 'after-photo' before they can live their lives. The message is about embracing self-acceptance and rejecting the societal pressures to conform to unrealistic body standards.