Fat acceptance

Founded in 1969, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is a non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to ending size discrimination in all of its forms. NAAFA's goal is to help build a society in which people of every size are accepted with dignity and equality in all aspects of life. NAAFA will pursue this goal through advocacy, public education, and support. (http://www.happyfatgirl.com/showthread.php?t=30)


The fat acceptance movement is working to change the discriminatory attitudes of you skinny people.
Overweight people are targets of hatred, prejudice and pity. But I can say for myself that I am proud to be the shape I am, I would rather live a shorter life and enjoy my cake than starve myself to fit into societal expectations. 


We come in all sizes. Understand it. Support it. Accept it.


"Large, big-boned, heavy, overweight, chubby, zaftig, voluptuous, Rubenesque, plump, and obese are all synonyms for fear." - Marilyn Wann
I found this quote really inspirational, discrimination towards fat people is simply a method to make themselves feel better, my being fat isn't hurting anyone.


The 'huge' facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/abcfamilyhuge?ref=ts), has this week stabbed it's own followers in the back.
From the Huge Facebook account:
Hey Huge fans! Do you want to go to weight loss camp next summer? Win a full summer scholarship at Camp Shane. Write an essay for The Camp Shane Nikki Blonsky Scholarship and you just might be the deserving winner! Click here for details on how to enter: http://www.campshane.com/nikki_blonsky_scholarship1.htm
That's right. A scholarship to fat camp. Thanks for the support guys.


I'm not even sure how to react at this point. This is not acceptable. This is a stab in the back, a mocking of the support, attention, and airtime we've given the show. Kind of seems like a twisted joke, if you ask me.

Reactions from fans on their Facebook were initially pretty negative, but now if you go there you'll see the fat haters and "it's for your health" evangelists are coming out of the woodwork. 
What we should be encouraging is body acceptance. How about a body-positive camp for kids who feel bad about their bodies? An alternative to fat camp, with physical and non-physical activities, focusing on body-image and confidence-boosting. This would give kids a way to deal with the hate and bullying they encounter throughout school. I know I would have benefited from this when I was younger!

body-positive camp for kids who feel bad about their bodies (for whatever reason) would be amazing. An alternative to fat camp, though will all sorts of fun physical (and non-physical) activities, with body-image and confidence-boosting being the main focus of the camp. And giving these kids words to fight the hate they encounter in such fine, virulent form in most traditional high schools.