Fat Grrrl Activism

★ Q. People talk about fat acceptance, but I’m not sure everyone knows what that means. Can you define “fat acceptance” and explain why we should care, especially if we’re not fat?

★ A. It’s basically the idea that fat people should have the option not to hate themselves and their bodies. Not to say that everyone has to like it, but that people should feel as enabled to take a path of self-acceptance and contentment at the size they are. It’s important for women to understand that culturally, they’re under so much pressure. Even the most beautiful woman has days when she thinks she’s hideous. Part of that may be what people do, but part of it is this culture of perfection and this strict and narrowly-defined beauty ideal. There is a tremendous liberation in seeing and hearing from women who say, “I don’t care. I am happy. I am not listening to people who tell me I’m unacceptable. I’m going to be the person that I am and I’m going to do it in the fullest, loudest manner possible.”