Last Safe Prejudice

Introduction

"The Last Safe Prejudice"

Prejudice-Holding pre-conceived, irrational opinions; Hatred of or dislike for a particular group What is the "Last Safe Prejudice"? I believe it is FAT DISCRIMINATION

What Makes Prejudice Safe?

Three Things Make Fat Prejudice "Safe"

First, it is LEGAL Discrimination is illegal only if the group is a Protected Category such as Disability, Age, Color, Religion, Sex Who can guess how many states have made Size a protected category? Correct Answer-ONE-state of Michigan

"Safe" Prejudice is also SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE Fat is not a high priority with the PC police (that group that decides what is politically correct) Polish, Dumb Blonde, or Jewish jokes--Not PC But Fat jokes-still acceptable

Finally, for Prejudice to be Safe, the Target Group must accept the treatment they receive Movie Network-Leading character reaches breaking point and yells out the window- "I'm Mad as Hell & I'm not Gonna Take It Any More!" This attitude is needed by any civil rights group. But since most fat people view their "condition" as "temporary" and their own "fault", few fight for their own rights.

Discrimination--Similarities & Differences

There are many similarities between Sizism & the other "Isms" (Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Looksism.). The similarities include stereotyping; lack of physical, social, and economic access; hostility-physical and verbal abuse; and the tragic self-hatred of internalized oppression.

While we share many experiences with other minorities, there are also major differences- we have no safe community-we are often hurt and rejected most by our own family-"for our own good", of course. We are blamed for our differences-our presumed lack of "willpower" and convinced that we can change and should change!

I have so many things I'd like to tell you today about the fat experience and the size acceptance movement, about the myths around dieting, "obesity" and "overeating", but I only have seven minutes! So instead of confusing you with facts, I'd like to focus on five fat people's experience.

Five Personal Examples

Anna Marie-
Anna Marie is 1-1/2 times taller and 3 times heavier than the average 3-year-old. Her parents sought and followed the advice of medical "experts", they placed their daughter on a severely restricted diet, but Anna Marie continued to gain weight. Because of this, the state of New Mexico removed the 3-year-old from her loving home.

Azalea-
80% of all ten-year-old girls have been on a diet. My daughter's best friend, Azalea, is one of them. When she declined food at a party & announced that she was "on a diet", my close friend automatically responded, "Good for you!"

Louise-
In 1968, 22 year-old Louise joined the Peace Corps. She weighed a little over 200 pounds when she began training. She was immediately told she would not be going to Ghana, after all, unless she quickly lost weight. Louise lost 15 pounds in 5 weeks and was allowed to teach in Africa. Today, over 30 years later, Peace Corps policy still prevents healthy "overweight" Americans from serving overseas.

Christine-
Christine was a healthy, happy nurse in her early thirties. She was also "morbidly obese". Her family and co-workers urged her to consider weight-loss surgery. She resisted but finally agreed to the operation. Christine almost died from complications twice; she required 3 follow-up operations; she now has multiple health problems, cannot eat normally, and suffers from malnutrition and severe depression. She is no longer able to work as a nurse!

Cliff-
A heavy-set man aged 42; Cliff often fell sound asleep while conducting meetings! His wife and friends constantly urged him to see a doctor. He refused to go; convinced that instead of proper treatment he would only receive yet another weight-loss lecture and diet. Cliff died from undiagnosed, untreated sleep apnea.

Conclusion

The "experts" claim that "obesity" is a major health epidemic-that 55% of the American population is "overweight"-97 million people! According to the "experts", over half of us in this room are "overweight"! The "experts" work for the American diet industry-an industry that earns 33 billion dollars a year!

Forget about "97 million"! Instead remember five fat people-Anna Marie, Azalea, Christine, Cliff, and Louise! Remember our stories, and remember that fat discrimination should no longer be "The Last Safe Prejudice".

copyright ©2001 Louise Wolfe, CH@Home Toastmasters

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