Big Fat Blog Think Tank recap

12th November 2007

Big Fat Blog Think Tank recap

posted in Body-Affirming, Fat Acceptance |

The Big Fat Blog Think Tank Saturday was a blast. It was so much fun to finally meet many of the folks whose blogs I read online – like Kate, Colleen, Paul and Jeani, Tari and Ottermatic - and others who are all passionate about the same issues I care deeply about.

The Think Tank made me realize how much of an effort it is in speaking about the issue of fatness with others. Either I’m defending the revolutionary idea that fat people are people above all and have the same human rights, or I’m actively trying to avoid dieting and weight-loss talk.

But not only was it supremely refreshing to get together with a bunch of like-minded folk, it was fun getting to know everyone and who they are and what and whom they love outside of fat acceptance. I’ve been involved with lots of social activist organizations ranging from vegetarianism and animal rights to homeless coalitions and anti-war groups, but this group, by far, is the most fun, interesting and diversified group I’ve had the pleasure of joining forces with.

Side note to Tari, Jeani, Colleen and Kate – my sister totally idolizes you all now. She couldn’t stop talking about how cool you all were.

Paul kept up a Twitter stream of the meeting here, if you want to know what was discussed. Unfortunately, since this was an introductory meeting, we barely scratched the surface of what a movement such as we’re envisioning needs to operate and enact real social change. But, it was a start. Future Think Tanks are in the works – for more info, contact Paul.

Here are a few ways you can start contributing now:
- Efforts are underway to compile a list of newspaper and media contacts. Locating and recording contact names, numbers and addresses for media organizations in your area would be a great help.
Know a fat-friendly or fat-phobic doctor, health facility, company or organization? Start keeping a list of ‘em. One of the ideas discussed is keeping a database like Aboutface’s Hall of Shame and Hall of Fame, whereby we salute fat-friendly professionals and organizations and spotlight those who aren’t.

Have horrible experiences with a health care provider? Speak up at First, Do No Harm: Real Stories of Fat Prejudice in Health Care.

Most newspapers reprint letters to the editor and even accept guest editorials. Write an editorial (usually about 400 to 500 words) in support of fat rights and submit it to your local paper. Or, if you see a fat-bashing article and don’t feel up to writing an editorial, write a letter demanding equal space be given in support of fat rights. Information on how to structure letters of complaint can be found here.

If you come across stories related to fat in any way – pro or negative – save a copy. Most newspapers don’t keep stories online for more than a few months, at most. Save a copy of the article to your hard drive, along with the name of the organization reporting the news, the date, and the reporter’s name. One of the ideas discussed was maintaining a database of such stories for use as reference – you know, since one week fat kills and the next week fat is healthy.

Last but certainly not least, we need folks from all walks of life for the movement to find legs. Do you have media experience? Medical training? Organizational skills? Mad web design or programming skills? Let Paul know so he can include you on the list of people interested in helping. Everyone has some special talent or skill to contribute – what’s yours?

Hope to see you at the next Think Tank!

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 12th, 2007 at 4:10 pm and is filed under Body-Affirming, Fat Acceptance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On November 12th, 2007, Fillyjonk said:

Excuse me, Rachel, but do you now have YET ANOTHER jacket that I covet? This is getting ridiculous. I’m coming to steal your clothes. I think we wear the same size.

The meeting looks to have been very productive — seems from the Twitter stream like important questions got asked, even if they didn’t get answered (just having the important questions out there is a necessary first step).

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 5:07 pm

2 On November 12th, 2007, Rachel said:

Haha, this is the same jacket – different color. They’re on sale at JC Penny for $19.99 in tan, chocolate, navy, black and purple. I have three now and I’m contemplating buying the purple.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 5:23 pm

3 On November 12th, 2007, Fillyjonk said:

I’ll just have to go to JC Penney, then. I don’t see it on their website (I do see a cord jacket but I think it’s different), but there’s one a few minutes from my house. Hooray!

Am I right in thinking you wear about an 18W, sometimes 16W on the top? What size is the jacket? Because I want one that looks as foxy on me as yours does on you.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 5:35 pm

4 On November 12th, 2007, Rachel said:

Actually, I usually wear a size 14 – 16 top, depending on the manufacturer. In button-down shirts I wear a size 16-18. But the jacket material is stretchy and oh, so uber comfortable. I bought the size XL – it’s in their Misses section. Manufacturer is St. John’s Bay, available online here.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 5:53 pm

5 On November 12th, 2007, Tari said:

MAN that’s a hot group!

The Think Tank freakin’ rocked, and I am stoked to get out there and challenge some conventional wisdom. And I can’t think of a better bunch of people to do it with. It was really encouraging to see how much energy there is behind all this.

I’m so glad you could make it out, too. It’s always nice meeting the people behind the typeface. (And your sister is pretty darn cool, too – anybody who thinks I might possibly be under 21 gets double thumbs up!)

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm

6 On November 12th, 2007, ottermatic said:

It was super to meet you all! I’m totally excited, too.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 7:35 pm

7 On November 12th, 2007, Fillyjonk said:

Wow, usually when I guess I’m about the same size as a person, they don’t end up being smaller than me… I am being dysmorphic in the opposite direction. I’m pretty reliably a 16/XL on top (or L at Old Navy), 18 on bottom. I think I’ll still try the XL if it’s stretchy, though, because I tend to have trouble with jackets that are overall big enough being way too baggy in the shoulders.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 7:52 pm

8 On November 12th, 2007, Colleen said:

How awesome are we?

It’s almost weird to talk to people face to face who GET IT! I feel like we’re right on the verge of something huge and I can’t wait to see where we go. So awesome.

posted on November 12th, 2007 at 8:41 pm

9 On November 13th, 2007, Rachel said:

FJ – That’s why I was so excited to see these jackets. I love blazers but have never been able to find one that I liked. Usually they’re too long and matronly cut. This one falls at your hip and is very figure flattering.

posted on November 13th, 2007 at 10:58 am

10 On November 13th, 2007, littlem said:

Nice picture … did any people of color attend? I don’t see any in the picture.

Not trying to be confrontational. Just asking.

posted on November 13th, 2007 at 9:22 pm

11 On November 13th, 2007, Rachel said:

No, unfortunately not LittleM. But appearances can be deceiving. Amongst us were people of all class lines, professions, religions, political persuasions and ethnicities.

posted on November 13th, 2007 at 9:46 pm

12 On November 14th, 2007, littlem said:

“No, unfortunately not LittleM. But appearances can be deceiving.”

Hmmm. I think I’m confused. Those 2 sentences in combination seem a little inapposite.

Taken together, do they mean “We don’t know”?

Or do they mean “No one bothered to ask”?

Or “It didn’t seem relevant to the issues at hand”?

Or “None of the above/____________________”?

posted on November 14th, 2007 at 5:36 pm

13 On November 14th, 2007, littlem said:

BTW, I’m not just “picking to pick”.

There are specific reasons why I’m asking (not to seem overly pedantic or supercilious — you’re a feminist scholar, you’ve read Campos, I’m gonna guess you know why I’m asking).

posted on November 14th, 2007 at 5:42 pm

14 On November 14th, 2007, Rachel said:

littlem – what I meant is that just because you see a bunch of white smiling faces does not mean we’re all cut from the same cookie-cutter mold. Diversity is much more than skin deep.

posted on November 14th, 2007 at 7:48 pm