It’s “Say Something Sunday,” a day dedicated, at least on this blog, to personal Size Diversity activism. I’ve got some suggestions below and/or of course you can do your own thing and feel free to leave a comment about it. If you have ideas of things to do for Say Something Sunday I’d also love for you to share those.
I did the math and if everyone who views the blog each week did one piece of Size Diversity Activism a week, it would add up to over 1.5 million body positive messages put out into the world this year. Multiply that times the number of people who might see each of those messages and things start to increase exponentially. To be very clear, nobody is obligated to do activism so if this doesn’t appeal to you that’s totally cool, I’ll be back tomorrow with your regularly scheduled blog post!
The theme this week is accommodations. Let’s start with the fact that when fat people ask for a chair that works for us, or a seat on transportation, or medical equipment that accommodates us, we aren’t asking for something special – we are asking for what everyone else already has.Businesses may or may not be legally required to accommodate us (depending on where we live) but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do activism. Suggestions of what to do with this:
Call ahead and ask if a restaurant has armless chairs/booths with tables that move etc.If a movie theater has seats with arms that lift, (bonus intersectionality – ask if the space accommodates those with dis/abilities) If not ask to speak to a manager and let them know that you aren’t going to patronize their business and why (hint: you can do this even if you aren’t fat or don’t have a disability yourself.)
Realize that, whatever size you are, you take up exactly the right amount of space, don’t be shy about existing in the world in the body you have.
Speak out against the idea that people of some sizes “deserve” to walk through the world comfortably, while others don’t.
If you want to do more of this kind of thing, consider joining the Rolls Not Trolls group on Facebook, it’s a group created for the specific purpose of putting body positive things in body negative spaces on the internet and supporting each other while we do that. It’s a secret group so if you want to join just message me on facebook (I’m Ragen Chastain)
Have a great Say Something Sunday!
Like this blog? Here’s more cool stuff:
Like my work? Want to help me keep doing it? Become a Member! For ten bucks a month you can support size diversity activism, help keep the blog ad free, and get deals from size positive businesses as a thank you. Click here for details
Buy the book: Fat: The Owner’s Manual The E-Book is Name Your Own Price! Click here for details
Book Me! I’d love to speak to your organization. You can get more information on topics, previous engagements and reviews here or just e-mail me at ragen at danceswithfat dot org!
Dance Classes: Buy the Dance Class DVDs or download individual classes – Every Body Dance Now! Click here for details
I’m training for an IRONMAN! You can follow my journey at www.IronFat.com
A movie about my time as a dancer is in active development (casting, finding investors etc.). Follow the progress on Facebook!
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