The recent post on Sociological Images about fat-shaming got me thinking about Paula Deen, the celebrity chef known for her Southern (and high-fat) cooking, whose recent disclosure of a diagnosis of Type II diabetes is causing much controversy.
The topic of fat-shaming is great for use in the classroom, because it’s most likely a new concept for most students, and can start a great conversation about stigma, the social dynamics of the obesity epidemic, and civil rights. To get the discussion going, you could show these “interviews” from The Colbert Report with Amy E. Farrell, a professor of American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Dickinson College, about fat-shaming and her book Fat Shame: Stigma and the Fat Body in American Culture. Despite the craziness that is Stephen Colbert, I think Professor Farrell gets the point across well.
Comments 2
Chub — January 27, 2012
I thought fat shaming was the combination of the Protestant Work Ethic and The Seven Deadly Sins [Sloth].
I mean have you noticed how society did a 180 in the last couple of decades on how it treats smokers? A similar vice that has credited study after credited study linking to a serious ailment that would otherwise be almost completely avoidable and generally unhealthy.
Actually, I think smokers get a worst rap, but that is probably attributed to other's health being at risk via second hand. At least when your fat, you have no chance of affecting one's health by your fatness.
Kia Heise — January 27, 2012
Smokers are a really good comparison. Thanks for bringing it up! I agree that the difference in reaction to the campaign against smoking is probably because smoking can affect others' health--which also may invoke less sympathy in smokers compared to people who are overweight or obese.
Luiz A. Castro-Santos covered smoker-shaming in the Summer 2009 issue of Contexts. Check it out if you (or your library) has access: http://contexts.org/articles/issues/summer-2009/