#educ3239

Like many other people, my body image is something that I have struggled with most of my life. When I found out that we would be covering a unit on Bodies and Fat Phobia, I was really excited and really scared. I was so interested in the readings that were assigned and all the different ideas that were discussed in class, but I was also nervous of being judged. I’m not some skinny-mini, but I’m also not 600 pounds. I consider myself pleasantly plump – and I’m getting to be okay with that. My way of looking at it, is that when I become an educator, I will actually be able to relate with my students about their insecurities. How many times have students been embarrassed in gym class or during class discussions? I believe that I will have the upper hand, in this case.

There were so many fascinating readings and videos, but one that really caught my attention was the blog that I have posted below (the link). “Hello, I am fat.” was something I could really relate to! The author, Lindy West, discusses her struggle with her body and weight loss. At first, she believed (like almost everyone else) that her body did not fit into society’s standards. Then she realized that society’s standards were terrible and shouldn’t matter. She also brings attention to “fat shaming” and how our society pretty much does that on its own without people having to encourage it. That was probably one of my favourite readings of the semester, and I really recommend you check it out!

Also, another reading I really enjoyed during this unit was an article called “20+ Examples of Thin Privilege” by Shannon Ridgway. She basically talks about society’s “normal” body size and sizeisms. Then she lists 22 privileges thin people have. Honestly, before reading the list, I never even realized how true these situations are. For instance, number 11: “People do not assume that you are lazy, based solely on your size” or number 18 “Your body type isn’t sexually fetishized.”