Fat Acceptance fractures along political lines
How “Fat Acceptance” plays second fiddle in Kate Harding & friends agenda!
Adherents to Fat Acceptance may have not voted for her, but Kate Harding is undoubtedly the undeniable leader of the movement. It is questionable if FA has any influence outside of the internet. But in the Fatosphere, Kate Harding’s blog has become the voice of record for Size Acceptance. By Techorati anointment, her highness Queen Kate, has demonstrated that all FA adherents should bow down to her monarchy. She is a potentate who is less than benevolent, and certainly is not open minded.
Kate Harding accepts all the hard core tenants of Fat Acceptance in fascist fashion.
- No diet talk allowed
- Weight loss surgery is an abomination
- Fat has nothing to do with disease
- The diet industry is behind “obesity epidemic” hype
- Doctors are biased against fat patients
- The media perpetuates myths against fat people
- Anorexia and Bulimia are the only real eating disorders
- All diets fail
- Eating healthy and exercising rarely result in weight loss
To Kate Harding, and those who parrot her ideas, these aren’t just beliefs, they are absolute religious axioms which SHALL NOT be disagreed with. Even the slightest difference in opinion or even the being perceived as being in disagreement, results in an IMMEDIATE thrashing! This eventually ends with the commenter being labeled as a “Troll”, then extradited from the Kate Harding’s presence. Of course it is her blog, and it is as popular as ever. Her arrogance and self importance has not run many away. Kate Harding’s message and behavior still have a lot of appeal.
Her blog’s online popularity rankings remain steady (not growing), while other Fat Acceptance blogs are slipping off into obscurity, as far as readership goes. Rachael’s “F-word” seems to be the only exception to this trend.
Kate is a FA advocate second and a liberal feminist first
Fat Acceptance isn’t where Kate’s blogging career began. Her original blogging was along the feminist and left wing political front. Kate is a college campus feminist, and a progressive/left winger. This isn’t a personal criticism of her politics. But, she whole heartedly inserts these beliefs into her FA blog in addition to her college campus speech codes. This dictatorial behavior has alienated those who would otherwise agree with her. Kate Harding is a Liberal and a Feminist FIRST before being a Fat Acceptance advocate. She has no compunction about alienating people for disagreeing with her politics or even violating her narrow use of PC language.
A small group of bloggers, who are a bit more open minded, have broken away from Kate Harding’s fold, and have been blogging on a slightly independent angle. A blogger named Big Liberty has begun an independent feed called “The Fat Liberation Feed”, which is a departure from the traditional “Notes from the Fatosphere Feed” which is loyal to Harding type FA bloggers. A quick note: RSS feeds are the way those topics from other similar blogs are displayed on the side columns of websites and blogs like this one. Big Liberty’s main difference with Kate seems to be a political one.
Libertarian bloggers chose to disagree with Kate Harding
Big Liberty is a Libertarian. Libertarians think that the government doesn’t have the right to meddle in people’s personal business, and the government should be as small as possible. This is a more intellectually honest stance for a Fat Acceptance blogger, so long as they don’t desire assistance government paid medical help and anti fat discrimination laws.
It remains to be seen if the “Fat Liberation” sect will start to peck away at Kate Harding’s following. Right now they occupy the remote fringe both in the number of blogs and readership. Certainly however there seems to be some resentment by some FA bloggers who are tired of being marginalized by someone who pretends to speak for all of Fat Acceptance.
Additionally Liberals in America are not exactly leaping at the chance to bring FA into its’ big tent. Many progressives view obesity as a challenge to implementing the goal of socialized medicine; while politically active greens view obesity as a manifestation of the over consumption that threatens the earth’s environment.
Admittedly, I read Kate’s blog on occasion and see the comments sections as very telling lately. I’ve noticed a distinct up tick in the thought policing and the language of the comments. Is the Shapely Prose really experiencing an up tick in the number of “trolls” or is it simply becoming more and more close minded?
The “fat liberation” blogs aren’t exactly free speech zones either but at least they do allow a disagreeing thought now and without obligatory censorship. Your not goint to convince anyone of your point but as long as you respectful they will at least listen, for a little while.
I am a feminist who is critical of the FA movement, mainly due to my background in public health. While there are some components of FA I very much agree on (anti-discrimination, the perpetual focus on women’s bodies, etc.) there is also a lot I disagree with (notably, the whole medical-conspiracy thing). I am sure there are other feminists who feel this way, they just don’t want to get into a flame war with the whole fatosphere.
Quite recently Shapely Prose had a landslide response to an entry titled “Turn that Douchehound upside down”. The “Douchehound” in question was a man called Richard, who tried to post a comment where he offers some politely worded criticism against the FA.
The comment was never published the way Richard had intended it to be read. Shapely Prose picked one small snippet of it , labelled Richard “a troll par excellence” and called on every Shapeling out there to rip him apart. This call was indeed readily answered.
The way Shapely Prose manipulated its followers to make mincemeat of one hapless commentor, without even knowing more than a minuscule fragment of his comment, is a very frightening and an utterly distasteful example of the workings of a totalitarian propaganda-machinery.
I am a body acceptance, Intuitive Eating, eating disorder recovery blogger who often agrees with Kate Harding. However, I am also a Libertarian and my viewpoints are not socially as liberal as Kate’s.
Because my blog is a recovery blog, no diet talk is permitted. I do not diet any longer and do not promote dieting. The bottom line is that for most people, diets WILL and DO fail. I support Intuitive Eating, but not for the sake of weight loss, though I won’t snub it if it happens.
I don’t think that the media necessarily portrays “myths” about fat people… but I do think there is a lot of “news” that isn’t newsworthy and there’s a panic stricken tendency to report on an “epidemic.” You only need to look at the CDC’s own admitted screw up related to the number of obesity related deaths from a few years ago to see that not everything reported can be trusted. That goes beyond obesity. That’s just true in general.
I also happen to think that the way the media reports obesity related stories is shameful. It’s done so in a way to ensure that fat people feel like freaks, and it helps to perpetuate the very real discrimination that exists towards fat people.
As for doctors, there is NO denying that many overweight patients receive substandard care because doctors are very quick to blame patients symptoms on their weight without really giving it a second thought. I have experienced this firsthand.
For example, I was chronically sleep deprived, and fat – so I must have sleep apnea. A sleep study was ordered and I don’t have sleep apnea. I’ve had chronic, widespread pain… and I was told it was due to being overweight and that losing weight would fix it. Guess what? I have fibromyalgia. Would losing weight help? Maybe, but probably not much if at all.
The fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid) were the cause of my chronic sleepiness. It took way longer than it should have to get diagnosed (and in the case of the Hashimoto’s, to get medication) because doctors looked at me and saw the number on the scale.
I don’t know anyone in the fat acceptance community who advocates eating unhealthily or not exercising. I do know people who exercise and eat healthy and basically stay the same size. It happens. Not everyone can be a size 2 or even a size 12.
And many women, regardless of whether or not they are considered “fat” by societal or medical (in other words, BMI chart) standards, feel badly about their bodies. Which is why, when I started my blog, I decided to go with an overall eating disorder/body acceptance theme, as opposed to a fat acceptance one. I agree with the general premise of the movement… discrimination based on weight exists. It has for years, and if anything, despite the supposedly expanding waistlines of everyone everywhere, it’s getting worse, not better.
I also have serious concerns about WLS. I think many people who are given the surgery have genuine eating disorders and are prone to developing other disorders as a result. Research indicates as much. I also think there’s this trend that it’s a “quick fix” to an unfortunately unacceptable problem, and therefore I think many go into it with an “if I just lose weight, all will be better” perspective. Being a size 4 won’t solve all of anyone’s problems. It might even cause some after years of being a size 24, and I think more patient education and doctor education is required. If you go to a barber and ask if you need a hair cut, odds are he’ll say yes. If you go to a weight loss surgeon and ask if you need the surgery, odds are also good he’ll say yes.
The diet industry is a $40 billion dollar a year industry. When people stop dieting, they generally gain weight. Diets are designed to make you dependent on the products, plans and support they offer. That’s just a fact. Some people might like that, some people might succeed. I wasn’t one of them. Dieting for me was toxic.
Bulimia takes on more than one form. Most people assume that to be bulimic you have to throw up or use laxatives or both. This is not true. I was diagnosed with “non-purging” bulimia in 1991. Basically, I was never able (thankfully) to make myself throw up. So I went through cycles of binging like mad and restricting my food intake. This is an eating disorder, it’s just not the one people generally associate with the word “bulimia.”
The bottom line is that I do think Shapely Prose can be harsh and restrictive in what they say or allow to be said. However, at the end of the day, it’s Kate’s blog. She has the right to moderate it as she sees fit, just as I have the right to moderate my own blog. I have had comments from a man who claimed that my problems are all because I am fat and miserable and unloved.
I am fat. I am not, however, miserable or unloved. I have an amazing husband who accepts me for who I am, who loves me for who I am… and I have the added bonus of never having to worry that if I suddenly get stretch marks or gain a few pounds he’ll find me repulsive, as many thin women find to be the case when they gain weight after babies or as they age.
Fat is not evil. Fat does not make me less worthy of a job, or less deserving of friendship. Fat doesn’t make me less human… or less lovable. But there are many out there who disagree with that. Perhaps some of you reading this.
That’s fine, because, at the end of the day, we’re all entitled to our own opinions. I just prefer mine to be a bit more open minded… and my goal in blogging is to help all women, regardless of size, recognize that they are deserving of respect and love, because beauty is about so much more than a number on a scale or the size of one’s dress.
Great post. There are many premises of the FA movement that I agree with, such as not discriminating against fat people, the fact that WLS surgery can be very dangerous, the fact that STARVATION diets do not work, etc. However, the way that they attempt to police people’s thoughts, feelings, and speech is utterly frightening. Not to mention the fact that they espouse the ideas that no one is ever supposed to lose weight, that no one ever experiences health problems from being overweight or obese, the notion that someone’s “set point” could possibly be 400 lbs (!) etc., is crazy and dangerous. This is what will turn the vast majority of people away from the movement and the movement will thankfully remain a small, cultish group of people.
For my part I would like to believe that the overwhelming majority of reasonable people agree wholeheartedly with the ‘no discrimination of fat people’ -agenda. Being fat vs thin vs something-in-between is not a moral issue.
I can’t help thinking though that what the militant FA blogs are doing is in fact exactly the same thing as the pro-ana communities. They are encouraging each other to deny the fact that at the end of the day your weight is inevitably a health-issue. Being extremely thin is certainly very dangerous, but so is being extremely fat.
I don’t think that anyone is saying that you can’t be somewhat overweight and still in perfectly good health. The problem is that a laissez-faire attitude to eating will result in continuing weight-gain, and the few extra pounds/kilos in your 20s-30s will then be severe obesity in your 40s-50s.
I don’t have time to read the blogs you mention Chris, but I don’t know that I would describe someone like Kate Harding as a “liberal.” That terms comes from the same root as “libertarian.” It sounds more like she subscribes to a cult. I also would find it hard to believe many of these Fat Acceptance people would be in favor of socialized medicine, because when health care is guaranteed for all, sometimes people with less serious problems, such as foot pain caused by obesity or arthritis caused by obesity, might have to wait for care. Now they can just milk their private health plan because the health plan will just respond by raising their premium rates, thus discriminating against people like me who take care of their health.
I’m relatively far to the left, and I wouldn’t say Kate Harding and I have a lot in common. She does have some of the more annoying second wave feminist tendencies, like extreme vitriol for anyone who disagrees with her, and as I’ve mentioned here before she will totally shut someone down who agrees with her on fat acceptance but disagrees, even politely, on any other topic. That being said, while Harding is pro-feminism and pro gay rights, two things I am in agreement on, I’ve never seen evidence that Harding’s positions on the whole necessarily put her onto what I consider the left in a broad way; either way I resent the way that the liberal left, which used to be in the business of actually fighting for genuine marginalized groups, has been reduced to validating the whining of upper middle class academics. While I do view personal responsibility of the individual as an integral component in a national health care plan (something I think America desperately needs), “socialized medicine” if you will, my disagreement with FA is much more basic; it’s a bullshit philosophy built on denial and pretense.
Indeed, there was just a post on some minor FA blog the other day (I forget where – it was linked from one of the feeds) arguing against universal healthcare, because it would lead to more discrimination against fat people. Even assuming that were true (who knows – I doubt it), I couldn’t believe how self-centered these people were. There are 45 million people who don’t have health insurance at all, but apparently the fragile feelings of the FA crowd are more important.
And as for whether Kate Harding and others in the FA crowd are feminists or liberals, those of us with any bit of sense really don’t want them. Despite how it might appear on the surface, they have far more in common with creationists and flat-earthers than with real liberals and feminists.
Good stuff.
I just did a post about Kate Harding’s opinions on a particular study vs. the opinions of a personal trainer blogger that would love to see people’s health and body’s improve, rather than stay what they are because they are at their “set point”, or because they should be happy with the way they are, unhealthy or not.
The personal trainer blogger of course posted links to the study itself, links to articles about it, links to wikipedia entries of the particular “FAT GENE” mentioned in the study, so his readers could educate themselves.
Kate only posted a link to one article about the study (which the article didn’t contain a link to the actual study either).
Rather than comment on the results of the study – that having this “FAT GENE” meant nothing if the carriers followed active lifestyles – Kate only chose to comment on the language of the articles author, getting pissed off, and taking anything and everything completely out of context.
All so her fatophile comrads could join hands once again in celebration of the delusional society they have created.
As I have said before, the second anyone makes a choice to filter out any viewpoints that could possibly differ from their own, it serves to completely invalidate their point. An unwillingness to argue a point with the opposition makes that point null. Anyone can feel very right about anything if they only surround themselves with people that agree with them.
To the Unfat Blog Moderators:
I wrote in a comment above about how I am a liberal, feminist woman who is critical of fat acceptance. I think there are probably more liberal-minded folks who are sufficiently public health-focused enough to not get sucked into the fat acceptance dogma. Maybe changing the images on your web browser might help attract more of those people?
Just a suggestion!
I don’t entirely disagree with jf. It’s your prerogative what to put up there of course, but the whole header looks like a late-90s Abercrombie and Fitch ad. Even my brother, who’s a track and field athlete in peak physical condition, doesn’t look like the gentleman on the right. I think one can achieve good health without looking like those figures, who frankly could be a bit intimidating to some people.
I can sort of relate to jf, but on the other hand I don’t see why anyone should care, let alone be intimidated by beauty ideals. The images of physically perfect bodies hold a light entertainment value at most, and striving for physical fitness and good health shouldn’t be dictated by any such ideals.
Btw, personally I don’t object at all to the gentleman on the right, but I fully understand that if he stays then the ladies will stay put as well.
Mary, just to clarify a little more:
The fat acceptance crowd likes to make a false dichotomy that people who are not content with being fat become anorexic or obsess about exercise. These images play right into that mentality. Healthy people have a variety of body types. It would be cool if this blog could reflect that. But again, just a suggestion.
Sorry, I threw the banner together in about 30 minutes, when I started this blog a few months ago.
LET ME REPEAT AGAIN: (about the banner)
It is on my short list of things to fix. I have another website, a full time job, wife and three kids, and an exercise routine as well. I apologize for taking so long.
This criticism has some merit. But as with the website http://www.myfatspouse.com critics continue to find something to complain about, and as soon as I correct it they move on to the next nit picky point.
Myfatspouse.com complaints
1. You allow people to post pictures of spouses….FIXED oct/2007
2. Your banner doesn’t say “willingly”…. ADDED DEC/2007
3. Your banner is offensive and sexist….
FIXED MAR/2008
and now…. “I don’t like the term “disrespectful”, in the by line, fat spouse’s don’t do it intentionally!”
MY ANSWER: GET YOUR OWN WEB SITE!!!
You have to know when to draw the line because these casual critics will nibble your content down to PC mush, if you allow them to dictate the content.
PC mush.. that’s a good point. PC is boring.
I think the idea was just brought up because they (we) want to see your ideas brought to as many readers as possible.
Hey, you know I’m behind what you’re doing here. It’s not a matter of being PC, I just personally think that the header, the first thing people see when they come here, might be slightly at odds with what your message is. Like I said, it’s your call, and I don’t think it’s THAT big a deal, just my 2 cents on it.
Well you’ve inspired me- I did make my own blog. But I’ll still hang out here too, if that’s okay.
I represent an honest voice in fat acceptance. Obesity is most definitely a chosen lifestyle. Hate Karding is a loon. The reason fat acceptance is not appealing to most fat people is because of people like Hate Karding. She is a stain on an already sullied movement.
At my blog we stress the joys of obesity namely BBW’s and gormandizing. We are the true fat acceptance because we do not judge. We do oppose WLS but not sensible dieting for weight loss.
Dissent is welcome on bigger fatter blog. Free speech is our cornerstone. Unlike scumbag organizations like NAAFA we are really about human rights. We are the only honest voice in fat acceptance and obesity promotion.
Fat people disgust me.
To even look at a fat person, one just knows….intuitively that looking like that CANNOT BE NORMAL. They look sick. It is hard for me to believe that waddling, huffing and puffing, and not being able to cross your legs can possibly be normal. Even ignoring scientific research, I still cannot accept that fat is meant to be in the natural state of the universe.
Also, as for the FA claiming that even after exercising and eating “normal portions” one cannot be slim seems to be going against the laws of physics.
Amazing really these fat peeps are….they create energy (adipose) out of nothing! Too bad scientists researching alternative energy sources haven’t discovered them yet!
jf,
I couldn’t agree with you more. There is no healthy MEDIUM with the FA mentality. You are either obese or anorexic. Clearly, moderation means nothing to these people.
Kate needs a good feeding and a good rogering. Proud FA likes dressing like a chick so a good Proud FA style feeding followed by some man hating sex might mellow Kate out some. He’ll cook her up a fondue and tell her he’s a lesbian trapped in a make body.
I’m cutting weight for my next meet so, bored and hungry, I thought I would have another gander at your blog, and it never ceases to entertain and inform.
Intuitive eating? Don’t make me laugh! I’m one of those people who absolutely and positively hates sports, and loves to eat… especially sweets.
So I ate, never mind that I knew very well that I’d put everything on. While I didn’t exactly reach disturbing proportions… it got to the point where I was so disgusted by myself that I could barely look in the mirror.
So I bucked up, and took pills which made lose weight… as well as any shred of liking my coworkers ever had for me – because the amphetamine made me cranky as HELL. And I hate that it has come to that.
But damn it! Now I can actually go into a store and be able fit into almost any clothing. So I’m damn well not going back to intuitively eating half a birthday cake by myself.
I suppose the fact, that I don’t live in the US, and most people here are skinny also helps a great deal with my utter dislike of sickly fat
So far two FA heavyweights Jennifer Portnick and Kelley Bliss have come to Bigger Fatter Blog. Fat Bastard and I are in the process of courting Kate Harding and engaging here in honest uncensored debate.
As some of you may know Bigger Fatter Blog is one of the few honest fat acceptance/obesity promotion site in the fatosphere.
Our contributors have won the debate. They war is over and the fat people have won. I myself am not fat. I am a fat admirer. We exist to serve the needs of the obese. In my case I pork fat women at NAAFA conventions.
BTW, We at Bigger Fatter Blog agree. Intuitive Eating is a bunch of BULLoney.
People who by that intuitive eating garbage are fat girls who have yet to accept and embrace the gluttony.
GO GO GLUTTONS! Watch em go go og!
I’m on my way to bigger fatter blog right after I stop in at
http://myfatspouse.bravehost.com/
I’m on my way to bigger fatter blog right after I stop at the toilet to purge and hit a few pro-ana sites to reinforce the mental problems that cause me to want to visit bigger fatter blog in the first place.
Once again a jealous fat girl is accusing BFB of being a pro ana site. You fat girls have ruined fat acceptance and you are too stupid to figure out why.
Men are honest enough to admit they are greedy gluttons, why aren’t you fat girls that honest?