Marilyn Wann

A "just ok" introduction to fat acceptance. Try to keep in mind that it was written over 15 years ago, when fat acceptance and fat studies basically didn't really exist yet. Back then, this would have inspired the crap out of me. Reading it now, there are some definite issues.

Wann tends to completely ignore intersectionality. One one page it says "hey remember that other groups get oppressed to, maybe fight for them as well!" There might be two other quick references to how healthy food is kept out of the hands of the poor (who are often POC due to systematic institutional and environmental racism) due to cost.

Also, much of this book goes on about how it's totally possible to be fat and healthy (true!) but then repeatedly says BUT YOU SHOULD EXERCISE FOR YOU JUST BECAUSE JUST TRUST ME YOU SHOULD. It felt really preachy and pushy. Because it's okay to be fat and not exercise if you don't want to! That's totally fine too! But Wann seems hell-bent on us all exercising and eating broccoli. (Honestly the broccoli thing gets a little weird.)

There is also one really weird page with a letter from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. Wann calls this letter "inspirational". The letter is from a guy who is fat and says that his life turned around when he started beating people up that made fun of him. Quote: "I beat them up real bad. I have been arrested three times because of it, but that is okay because I sent those people to the hospital." At the end it calls for all fat people to learn how to fight because "People that call us names need to be beaten up." If the letter is some sort of joke or has some hidden meaning then I am missing it. It is presented without comment by Wann, and overall it made me incredibly uncomfortable.

All of that being said, there is some really important facts and commentary in here. The biggest and most important thing I took away from this book was the fact that I can refuse to be weighed at the doctor's office. The thought hadn't even occurred to me that I could say no! Just thinking about it made me feel really powerful.… (meer)

Before there was Lessons from the Fat-o-sphere, there was FAT!SO? Because You Don't Have to Apologize for Your Size. This was a fun, lighthearted read covering the basics of fat acceptance. The author wrote a zine back in the 90s, but the book doesn't say if all entries are from the zine or if they were written new for the book. Either way, I still enjoyed it.

The one thing that I was annoyed about was that the copy I borrowed from the library had several pages ripped out. I don't know why anybody would rip pages out of a library book, and I intend to show the librarian when I return it so they can order a new copy.… (meer)

A flabulous and fat-tastic introduction to the world of fat acceptance. Massive, healthy, long-term (5y+) weight loss is impossible for all but a tiny percentage of the population -- this has been clinically proven. Wann is humorous but dead-serious when she urges fat people to cast aside their shame and live life to the fullest in the full-size bodies they're in. One of the earliest and most approachable books put out by the FA movement.… (meer)