#systemic oppression

Cover photo courtesy of NAAFA Newsletter, 1979. Vol. VII, Issue No. 2 & 3.

Fat Rights? Fat Chance! A History of Fat Liberation In The United States From 1967-1974

by @fatliberation

During the height of the Vietnam War, two months before Woodstock, one month before the moon landing, and just two weeks before the Stonewall Rebellion took place merely twenty miles away, another thread of U.S. history was quietly being written. On June 13th, 1969, an engineering student with no prior experience in political organizing and his fat comrades gathered in Westbury, N.Y. and ratified a constitution for a new human rights movement that was deemed shocking, laughable, and entirely unheard of.

Hey, everybody! My new article is finally finished and available to pre-read on ko-fi for $5. This is a dense history of organized fat activism in the U.S., focused on the late 60s to mid 70s. Learn about the Central Park Fat-In, the beginnings of the world’s first-documented fat rights organization, and the concurrent movement of feminist fat resistance led by queer practitioners of Radical Therapy (and more).

Like always, this article will eventually be unlocked for free, most likely in two or three months, depending on pre-sales. If you benefit from my work and are feeling resourced, consider making yours a recurring monthly tip so you don't lose access to my articles after 30 days.

I hope you enjoy the article and learn something new about fat history!

and one of the signs she shared was not being able to drive. and i cant drive. i cant. i cant even use one of those motorized shopping carts. each time i've tried i've had meltdowns/anxiety attacks because i can't feel where i am in space. but for some reason i was great at riding my bike and roller blading. i loved the way it felt sensory wise.

anyway um. in the video she says it's okay to be an adult and not be able to drive; it doesn't make you less of an adult. which is absolutely true and very comforting to hear.

but then she said you need to make sure not to isolate yourself or put yourself in a position where you're alone or dependent on someone else to go anywhere

and that. is the situation i am in. i can't control it. there is no reliable, affordable, accessible transportation for me. anywhere i go on my own has to be done on foot. and i also struggle immensely going places on my own. it is a very overwhelming and confusing experiencing if i am going somewhere i have never been before.

i didn't do this to myself. i didn't choose to become severely disabled and need a wheelchair. i didn't choose to be unable to drive. i didn't choose to be without friends.

i understand the sentiment behind it is not wanting someone to be alone and isolated, but it completely misses the point.

not being able to drive is a real barrier to participation in society for disabled people. it's a barrier even for abled people who don't have a car or can't afford to learn.

I don't think you understand.

Diagnosed Autistics can be denied entry to certain countries and even deported from them.

Diagnosed Autistics can have their children taken from them.

Diagnosed Autistics can be denied life saving organ transplants.

Diagnosed Autistics can be forcibly institutionalized and subject to torture in the name of "treatment".

Historically, the Nazis would sort Autistic children into groups to be either "re-educated" or murdered.

Now, RFK Jr wants to create a "national autism registry".

I'm no expert on what exactly to do here, but if you live in Texas, please communicate to him that he has lost your support through this (even if you didn't support him in the first place). His contact info is on his website. I know it's hard, but everything counts. Call after hours if you need to, email, do what you can.

And please don't lose hope. Don't stop fighting for the justice of others.

Rest in peace, James Broadnax.