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.