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A TALK AND THOUGHTS ABOUT FAT ACTIVISM
Posted by Charlotte on February 25, 2010
Tags: charlotte cooper, fat activism, feminism, ladyfest goldsmiths, obesity
I went to the Charlotte Cooper talk on Fat Activism as part of the Ladyfest Goldsmith week yesterday and thought I would share a little of the event with you. Quick note, yes I know I’m Charlotte Cooper but I’m not that Charlotte Cooper she’s someone else and so am I, or something: Anyway, we’re different women.
Charlotte’s talk was held in small room, attended by a largely female audience circled around Charlotte on chairs — it was extremely informal and absolutely the best format for this talk which was crafted from her personal experiences being the best way to tackle a movement which could be defined in a million different ways.
Introducing herself as a fat activist by saying “I’m a big fat dyke and there’s nothing anyone can do about it” Charlotte launched into her top 10 reasons to be a fat activist.
For those that need to know:
fat activism is good for you; fat activism gives you power; fat activism can create incredible scenes; fat activism is a way of coping with the pain and negotiating personal body politics; fat activism upsets all the right people and inspires all the right people; fat activism means you can be BAD like Heather McCallister; Fat Activism is a statement of hating oppression; fat activism has Gudrun Fonfa and the fat underground; Fat activism is a sound career move especially in the coming tidal wave of obesity panic and fat activism is the only choice to make.
After Charlotte shared herself with the group she opened the discussion up to the circle what did the group think of fat activism?
Although I didn’t have time to stay and say on the day I thought I would share why I take interest in fat activism and why I see myself as an ally and supporter.
Fat activism is a part of feminism to me, it’s a part of understanding intersectionality, because if you can’t see how layers of oppression pile on top of each other, and how different things can trigger oppression and othering then how can you combat them?
The feminist movement is and always has been riddled with inequalities of its own making which has made it an uncomfortable space for black and minority ethnic women; for trans women; for lesbian and bisexual women; for women with religion; for women with disabilities; for women of different classes — the list is too long. Only by becoming aware and educated and confronting the privilege we wield be it in able bodies, gender, sexuality, race can we combat this. And so I work hard to listen, and learn and act in more progressive ways, understanding fat politics and taking part in fat activism on a grass roots level are ways that I can do this.
Tags for this post:charlotte cooper, fat activism, feminism, ladyfest goldsmiths, obesity