Dear Hilltop Views,

The November 10 viewpoint article entitled “Fat acceptance movement deserves skepticism” is incredibly offensive, not only to those that are part of the Fat Acceptance Movement, but to anyone who has done even the vaguest of research into the topic. Ben Osheyack makes numerous tasteless jokes oriented at fat people, and seems to assume that his audience will play along and enjoy his mockery. He has also done an almost laughably poor job of citing his sources or proving anything, considering that one of his points against the fat acceptance movement is that “the [National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance] does not provide citations. . . or statistics. Discrimination against the overweight may be present in the workplace, but this group is not supplying proof of it in a credible fashion.”

The author is entitled to his opinion, bigoted though it may be. But part of what FAM, NAAFA and others are trying to combat is the institutionalized, almost inherent hatred of fat people in our society. They have heard all of Mr. Osheyack’s arguments many, many times before, and they are all addressed in various parts of the Internet, most notably on fat activist Kate Harding’s site kateharding.net. (Her FAQ section stands up to even Mr. Osheyack’s exacting citation standards.) What the movement does not need — what we as a society do not need — is even more misrepresentation of the facts: that fat people can be healthy, and beautiful, and do not need well-meaning help in the form of “I’m just concerned about your quality of life!” or “You don’t understand, obesity can kill you!” or “But your face is so pretty, if you’d just lose a little weight!”

There is nothing inherently unhealthy about any of us. None of us need to be discriminated against based upon our appearance. Please stop joining with those who have set the Fat Acceptance Movement back so far.

Elissa Powell

[email protected]