Have we discussed this?

baconsmom

http://jezebel.com/5896549/worst-vogue-article-ever-will-now-become-worst-memoir-ever

Woman puts her 7-y-o on a diet, berates her, polices her every bite, denies her meals, and then writes about it for Vogue. 

Public has a predictable reaction - namely, that this woman is abusive and horrible.

But here's the thing: All this public outcry is just depressing to me. Because it's the same people who say there's an obesity "crisis" (despite obesity levels having been steady since the early aughts) and think nothing of shaming fat people - and fat kids - in general. 

Is it because it's specific that they don't like it? Is it because they finally understand what fat shaming does to us? My mother did the same thing to me. Countless mothers have done the same thing to countless fat kids, with various levels of shame and abuse, but still. This is nothing new, and as the hysteria about fat people continues to grow, this is not something that's going to stop. 

I don't know. I guess I'm just so tired of it, I can't muster up any indignation lately. 

ReturnOfKuus

You're having the same reaction to this as I did to the War on Women laws.

**O-Face**

I think it's the herd mentality, you (I'm speaking generally) wouldn't hesitate to shame someone, but when you're in a group you all tsk-tsk someone who would admit to it.

MinM

I read that article and yeah, it was wrong. But I think it has to do with a larger issue of body image, in general. Because even if you are not "fat," there is still shaming going on associated with most body sizes.

I mean, I've been called anorexic since people my age learned of the word. People think nothing of telling me to 'eat a sandwich.' For some reason, just because I am thin, it's OK to tell me as an adult that I am unhealthy and I need to eat. Or when people do see me eat, it's like some sort of freak show. "Where do you put it all?" It is not complimentary or flattering.

I think women in particular are so hard on one another. I don't think the conversation should focus on 'fat acceptance,' but rather, acceptance. Of a healthy lifestyle and the many shapes and sizes is comes in.

Heck, my friend weighs over a hundred pounds more than me, and I would bet every red cent I have that she is more health than me. But most of her knowledge of food and exercise resulted from bad diets and exercise habits born out of fat shaming.

**O-Face**

Why does ANYONE have a right to comment on ANYONE'S body?  It's just baffling.  And sad.  And I admit to doing it. 

ReturnOfKuus

Not having a culture where these comments are accepted starts with not thinking them in the first place.  I think that's the hardest part, whether it's sizeism or sexism or racism, that you have to actually change the very way you think or else what is inside comes out somehow.

baconsmom

Min, you're right. I usually only speak to my own experience, but I stay away from any sort of body commentary in general. It's not my business. 

And Kuus, yeah. That too. Everything is just so depressing and like, it's 2012. Really? We're still doing this? It makes me want to just hide in my house with all the people I love who feel the same way I do, and just tell the rest of the world to fck itself. 

Probably it doesn't help that I have cramps today. I could go for some slut pills, yo.