Comments on: Celebrity Offspring Bans The Word "Fat"

By: Miabell1313

Miabell1313 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:50:57 +0000

I actually believed I was ok with being called fat, I thought I was strong and confident enough to let being called fat slide right off of my back. How wrong I was, and all it took was a comment from a kid to make me realize again that being called fat is an insult.

Yesterday while at the pool, my boyfriend’s 8 year old son came up to me and said: OMG, YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOO FAT!! I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE SOOOOOO FAT. YOU ARE GOING TO NEED TO FIND A BIG MAN TO RIDE YOU!!

Needless to say I was angry and hurt to the max, but I managed to calmly explain that what he had said was rude, mean and no one should ever make fun of the way someone looks because it might hurt them.

I understand the concept of claiming the word fat, but I just can’t bring myself to use the word to describe a person.

By: Liza

Liza — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:36:50 +0000

While people here may have claimed the word, most people have not, and still see it as an insult. And it’s a word children will sling as an insult, so as long as SJP and MB back up the ban with teaching him to accept people at any size, I think it’s a good thing.

If they simply ban it without reinforcing WHY, it won’t really do anything/

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:41:11 +0000

I hate euphemisms; words like “Big Beautiful Woman,” “curvy,” “Rubinesque,” they all come across to me as trying to minimize our weight or make excuses for it. I think the terms “overweight” and “obese” are useful to be able to show people, “THIS is what ‘overweight’ looks like, THIS is what ‘obese’ looks like, it’s not as big as you think,” but not as self-descriptors. I do feel a bit self-conscious about calling myself fat; I’m a “skinny fat person,” I suppose, only “moderately overweight,” and sometimes I feel that people must think I’m being self-deprecating when I describe myself as “fat.” But when I go to the doctor and he tells me that I need to eat less (without first asking me how much I eat) and exercise more (without first asking me how much I exercise) because I need to lose 50 pounds or I’ll get diabetes because my fat keeps my insulin levels high (without first checking my blood sugar to see if there’s a problem), I think it’s safe to say that other people consider me fat, and I think it’s wrong to hide behind euphemisms or insist that I’m “not THAT fat” instead of saying, “Yes, I AM fat, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

By: Chris2ferw1516

Chris2ferw1516 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:23:07 +0000

Personally, I hate the word. I hate ANY word that has cruel intentions attached to it; no matter how ‘evolved’ we think we all are. I’m a gay, 200lb white male that would never use the word ‘fat’ to describe someone. Besides, how/why else would you even USE the word outside of nutritional values?
Think about these words and then decide if such a simple, 3 letter word still means anything. The ‘N’ word, the ‘C’ word, fag, jew, and so on. Sure these are extreme examples, but hey, that’s how ALL words get abused. While I don’t care to have celebs/media to tell me what word(s) are bad and shouldn’t be used in abuse, I think it’s an ideal solution for them to teach their young one(s) how to respect other humans. Hey, knowledge is power right. ps: I found this blog by accident and I’m trying to catch up, but great content and writting.

By: iva

iva — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:12:38 +0000

I don’t really like or use the word “fat” much when referring to people, because to me it’s less of a descriptor of a person or thing and more of a noun – a substance that’s found beneath our skin and is usually jiggly, or something that some foods contain and is yummy.

It disgusts me when I see young girls pinching themselves and saying “I’m so fat!” because they are NOT fat, they may HAVE some fat, but we all do! We need our fat. There are some people with more fat on their bodies, but that’s just the way they’re made. But no one in my family ever *really* struggled with obesity. I struggled for a few years with being a little bigger than I really wanted to be and having more fat than I wanted (like 40 lbs more) but I lost the weight and now I like what I look like.

When I was a kid, we had a puppy we named “Gordo” because he had a cute little pot belly and lots of fur. He was our endearing little Gordo.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:50:13 +0000

I would like to see James become involved with the fat acceptance community. He seems to have the right idea, he just doesn’t know the issues. Like, now fat isn’t an insult but obese is. Most kids wouldn’t know that, cause they’re just told saying fat is bad.

James seems like he’s going to grow up to be a fine, smart, and compassionate man.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:46:29 +0000

I like the word corpulent. Fat conjures up schoolyard teasing. It’s bad enough being called that, let alone using it on yourself. I refuse to participate!

Corpulent, is sort of regal and naughty at the same time. :).

By: Fat Girl

Fat Girl — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:06:19 +0000

Honestly.. I hate the word Fat as well, because it’s usually hurled as an insult and I just can’t start OWNING it. You know?

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:20:04 +0000

I’ve tried reclaiming the word “fat”; I have! It’s just that when I use in in a very carefully positive non-fishing way in regards to myself, I STILL get the “You’re not fat!” reaction.
I’m 5’4″, weigh anywhere between 185 and 195 lbs, and wear a 14 or a 16 in dress sizes. I’m happy with my body, but I AM fat, and there is NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING FAT. The problem is that we’re trying to change our bodies to fit the clothing when how much easier (and less painful, to boot!) would it be to change the clothing?

By: there'smoretoyouthanjustfat

there'smoretoyouthanjustfat — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:56:32 +0000

I don’t think fat is a ‘bad’ word. I think the way it’s used has the potential to be ‘bad.’

And, I think admonishing it from the house, or the vocabulary is in some way making it worse.