Object lesson in casual fat hate disguised as not giving a shit

[littlegirltoast]

In the last day, two different people asked what I thought of this certain blog post. Well, one directly and one asked her whole LJ friends list. I wrote some tweets, and then this morning dug in for a longer analysis. That analysis turns out to be longer than LJ comments allow, so I'm posting it here instead! For all of you

Comments

[littlegirltoast]

I get what you're saying - I have definitely been in the position of receiving glowingly-intended remarks on changes to my size, and felt different ways about it from moment to moment. I did a lot of biking two summers ago instead of busing and people kept congratulating me and I kept being like it's nice that you're being nice but I'm not DOING that. Don't track my score, I am not playing!

I haven't been in the position of a dramatic change since I was in high school, and weirdly then no-one ever said anything; I just got terrified when I realized it had happened without me trying or noticing. So it's not really typical of the experience.

But sure I understand talking or writing about what is going on with one's body, and I think there are things that are really important to keep in mind, depending upon the venue and the audience. And I don't think it's less important just because it's all weird - but I also don't think a person becomes terrible if they do something wrong. I think you're right that my tone is harsh, but I'm not really trying to say anything about the person being good or bad. I'm sure she's fine, and if she isn't, it has nothing to do with me. But I think the behaviour and the sentiments are worth engaging with... apparently, harshly. Ha.

I don't know if you've gone any distance back in my LJ? I've written a bit on feelings about my body in ways that I wouldn't just put anywhere... oh! I only friended you just now, so of course you wouldn't have been able to see them anyway; the whole point I was just making was that it was semi-private, ha. Anyway, I definitely don't wish to make a villain out of anyone who expresses any feeling about changes in their body. But there are oppressive ways to do it. And I'm talking in circles, ha! Okay.

[batyatoon]

Don't track my score, I am not playing!

THIS, oh my god this. A few years ago when I was dieting for primarily reasons of blood sugar control and fertility difficulties, people kept congratulating me on my weight loss and I kept wanting to tell them to shut up.

[littlegirltoast]

Yes! Ugh!

Re: you'd better be kidding

[batyatoon]

Dude, people congratulate cancer patients on their weight loss all the time.

[batyatoon]

yeahhhh.

why do people suck :(