To end Fat Liberation Month, I felt it was important to share why we can’t “stick with body positivity to include everyone” and “just be positive about all bodies.” I mean yes, of course, we want folks to be able to occupy their bodies in positive ways but all of this misses the point of recognizing oppressive systems at play. When we talk about “just loving ourselves” or improving our body image we are not giving ourselves enough compassion and context because improving body image places the burden of healing on the individual. It wrongly implies that we can magically practice morning affirmations in the mirror and eventually come to a place of healing. Meanwhile so much is SWIRLING around us: GLP1s, poor healthcare, racism, institutions that monetizes weight stigma. When I describe systems to folks it’s like being birthed onto a conveyor belt in a factory: you are still your own individual but the internalized dominance and oppression of the established systems are being infused into you, the product on the factory line. It’s not something the factory item (aka YOU) started but you really have to do everything in your power to resist. The truth is when we correlate poor body image with “thinking errors” we create deeper body shame.
We all have work to do to make this world more inclusive and equitable, including learning how internalized dominance and anti-fat bias live in and work through us. When you find yourself reacting in habitually negative ways to your own body and other people’s bodies, name the objectification and dehumanization happening (“I see you, fatphobia”). Instead of judging yourself for it, remember you’ve been harmed by these systems and are healing. With curiosity, ask yourself: Who benefits when I view myself and others in this way? What do I get when I think and believe this? What do I lose? And keep finding ways to expose yourself to images that challenge the status quo.
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Resources: Kinavey, Hilary; Sturtevant, Dana. Reclaiming Body Trust: A Path to Healing & Liberation. Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.