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Fat Shame
Fat Shame: Stigma and the Fat Body in American Culture | Amy Erdman Farrell
2 posts | 1 read
A look at how fatness became a cultural stigma in the United States.
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daydreamin_star
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So as mentioned earlier, I went to Thorpe Park today and was hoping I would have a lovely day but sadly that wasn't the case. It came to my attention on the second ride of the day that I am now too fat for rollercoaster rides and this plagued me for the rest of the day.

I was absolutely horrified when I was told the security measure wouldn't click in after the guy had practically killed my stomach pushing as hard as he could. (Cont in comments).

daydreamin_star With no offer to switch seats - which he did for someone else. I had no choice but to get off the ride. Humiliated and incredibly upset, I ran off and have since been unable to get my confidence back. I am very aware that I am a large girl and have been getting fatter every day no thanks to being on three medications with a side effect of weight gain but it's never been made quite so obvious that I am "other" and too fat for society. 6y
daydreamin_star I tried to leave it at that but then we ended up on a different ride and the only way to get the belt to buckle in properly, the guy had to push my safety gear really hard into my stomach until it hurt and I could not breathe. I managed to enjoy the ride but I still felt very aware of how large I am and how much space I seem to take up in the world. I want to stay positive in myself and my body but days like today just make it so difficult. 6y
daydreamin_star Does anyone else feel like this? 6y
See All 19 Comments
eraderneely I‘m sorry this happened to you. This sounds a lot like what Roxane Gay was saying in 6y
Libby1 (((Hugs))). 6y
daniwithtea I‘m at an amusement park right now having a similar experience - my thighs and belly are going to be bruised from some of these restraints. 6y
daydreamin_star @eraderneely thanks. I *must* read this book then! I just think in this day and age, we should be more inclusive. I'm not exactly the largest girl I know either. I know that once the sadness of it has passed, I'll probably get really angry. 6y
daydreamin_star @libby1 thanks *hugs* 6y
daydreamin_star @daniwithtea it's so frustrating, right? All the rides have height restrictions but if you're going to make certain seats, maybe you should have a weight/width restriction too. At least then we wouldn't spend X amount on entry and then queue for hours only to be uncomfortable/unable to ride. 😠 6y
Birdsong28 What a shame 😢 You are who you are no one should make you feel anything less. The ride operators should be reported for acting that way. Sending you lots of love 😘❤️📚📖 6y
squirrelbrain Oh @daydreamin_star I‘m sorry this happened to you. Sending you love and hugs and I think it‘s such a good thing to bring it to your friends here at Litsy as I know you‘ll get loads of support ❤️❤️ 6y
daniwithtea @daydreamin_star agreed! Sometimes here they have the sample seats out front where you can test it (not always though) which is helpful, but ugh. 6y
Alfoster We at Litsy understand and support you! I‘m angry for you💕! Don‘t let it get you down. 6y
daydreamin_star @Birdsong28 thank you for your kind words, that means a lot. I was but I also know he just has to do his job and ensure the safety of everyone on the ride. Just sucks for me! 6y
daydreamin_star @squirrelbrain thank you. *Hugs* xx 6y
daydreamin_star @daniwithtea I honestly don't think I'll be going back to a theme park for a while now. It has just ruined it. I have always gone at least once a year and now I just feel so sad about it all. It feels so discriminatory. 6y
daydreamin_star @Alfoster thank you xx 6y
daniwithtea @daydreamin_star I‘m so sorry *hugs* 6y
SleepyDragon This has happened to my husband. Even when his weight is down, he stresses out about going. In defense of the amusement parks, though, the reason they do that is because back in the 70s, a woman held the lap bar down on a ride and pretended it clicked, then she fell out of the coaster and died. Her family sued Six Flags and won. Now safety is heavily regulated by the government and they have to check that the restraint is fastened. 6y
12 likes19 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Fascinating book on the political and cultural roots of our feelings towards fat. Something that used to signify prosperity is now a social stigma. This book questions how we got to the point that it is thought acceptable to discriminate against people purely on the grounds of their size. Rating: 4/5