How to respond to unbearable anti-fat microaggressions
In a society where anti-fat bias has been so widely accepted for generations, it can seem daunting to know when to say something or when to stay quiet when anti-fat microaggressions are all around us.
Before we jump into some tips on how to deal with these unbearable comments, remarks, questions, or actions, let’s break down what the heck a microaggression is in the first place.
Microaggressions are the everyday slights, insults, putdowns, invalidations, and offensive behaviors that people experience in daily interactions with generally well-intentioned individuals who may be unaware that they have engaged in demeaning ways. (UNC School of Medicine)
In our first Fat Unbearable Blog, we included some common microaggressions that fat outdoorsy folx experience. Some of the comments we received were to simply ignore the cruel, rude and douchey things said and done to fat bodies in outdoor spaces. Here is the problem with ignoring microaggressions. There is a real impact when someone experiences these constant slights, insults, and expressed biases.
Common effects of long-term microaggressions include loss of self-esteem, feelings of exhaustion, inability to thrive in an environment, mistrust of peers, as well as increased stress. (Univ. of Edinburgh)
Also, they just really suck especially when you are just trying to experience joy outdoors. Well my fellow fat beautiful friends, we get to choose when, how, and if we respond* to these microaggressions.
*You are inherently worthy and have the right to establish a safe space by speaking up or stepping back. Choosing not to address microaggressions for the sake of your safety or to avoid emotional fuckery is also a valid decision.
Below is a chart of different ways we find useful to respond to different types of microaggressions. For our straight-sized allies who are reading this, we have also included some responses for you to help make spaces more inclusive, safe, and comfortable for fat people.
As per all of our tips and recommendations, these are things that have worked for us in many situations and sometimes they don’t because haters gonna hate. You do what makes you feel best and safe. We just want you to live your best life doing the things that bring you joy.
To summarize, microaggressions suck and we get to choose how we make our space safe by speaking up or stepping out. When experiencing a lot of microaggressions, it helps to have a supportive community with folx with shared lived experience/intersections.
We recommend looking on facebook or instagram for fat, plus-size, and weight neutral groups in your area. Be sure to check that the rules include anti-fat bias language.
Here are some articles and resources we found helpful when researching this blog topic.
Articles:
Microaggressions: How and why do they impact health?, Medical News Today
Videos:
Microaggressions- UNC School of Medicine
Microaggressions are like Mosquito Bites
Books:
Aubrey Gordon: You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People
Are you in a larger body and have stories about situations where the outdoors felt unsafe, unwelcome, inaccessible or less joyful for you because of anti-fat bias? We are looking for guest bloggers and fellow fatventurers to highlight in our Fat Bearable series. If so, please share them with me at Arwen@wndroutdoors.com