A Word About Words |
Discrimination is as much a fact of life for fat people
as it is for other people outside the "norm."
Fat people earn less money, are turned down for medical
insurance, jobs, and housing. They are subjected to
insensitive remarks and are often judged by their body
shape and size as being stupid, lazy, slovenly, unhealthy,
and either over- or under-sexed. The stereotypes exist
despite volumes of evidence to the contrary and impact
our lives in every facet of our existence. It doesn't
have to be that way.
Many of us have been involved in campaigns to save
endangered species, end nuclear proliferation, outlaw
line dancing, and any of a hundred other issues of
importance. We write letters of protest when nuclear
power plants are built and refuse to buy fur coats when
our concern for baby seals kicks in. Is it any less
important to stand up for ourselves?
There are many ways to express your feelings and to get
satisfaction. The path you take depends on the
circumstances, your goals in any situation, and your own
personal methods of being assertive.
You don't have to walk a protest line or even get
involved in legislative issues. I love dolphins, but you
aren't going to see me out in a little Greenpeace boat
putting myself between sea mammals and angry fishing
crews. I will, however, send a check to someone who is so
motivated so he or she can do what I can't. Everyone can
contribute in some way.
"According to the
American Airlines manual for flight attendants, 'A firm,
trim silhouette, free of bulges, rolls, or paunches, is
necessary for an alert, efficient image.'
"After more than two hundred flight attendants were
let go, members of the Association of Professional Flight
Attendants rebelled, claiming the weight limitations were
discriminatory on the basis of age and sex, and sued
American. (The women fired for being 'overweight' were
generally a size 10.) Though unable to completely abolish
the standard height/weight charts, the attendants were
able to bring about an adjustment in the top weights
allowed . . . an increase of twenty-five pounds for women
in their mid-fifties.
"American Airlines was the last airline in the
United States with such strict weight rules. Most
airlines have changed their limitations to vary with age;
Continental and Northwest airlines have dropped weight
rules completely."
Excerpt from Size Wise by Judy Sullivan.
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