Sometimes, people who, I think, mean well like to tell me I am not fat. They will say things like, Don't say that about yourself, because they understand fat as something shameful, something insulting, while I understand fat as a reality of my body. When I use the word, I am not insulting myself. I am describing myself.
In her book "Hunger," Roxane Gay discusses the complexities surrounding the term "fat." She highlights how well-meaning individuals often react negatively when she describes herself as fat, seeing it as an insult or a source of shame. Their discomfort reveals societal attitudes about body image, where being fat is often criticized or looked down upon.
Gay contrasts their views with her own understanding of her body. For her, the term "fat" is not derogatory; it is simply a fact of her physical existence. She emphasizes that when she identifies as fat, she is merely stating a reality of her body, not engaging in self-deprecation. This distinction points to a broader conversation about body positivity and the need to redefine how we talk about and perceive bodies of all shapes and sizes.
