The Change We Seek

So, some discussion has come up around the fat cranes project and its cultural implications. I think this is a valuable discussion to have. Its not something I gave much thought to, and while I'm still not sure what to think about this, I'm glad the complaints are being made. I do, however, think there should be more of a discussion around these issues than seems to be taking place. What's happening seems like a lot of knee-jerk reactions, both pro and against, and I don't think is really being effective.

I understand the arguments about why the project can be perceived as racist, but I also know that a lot of the issues being raised simply aren't settled issues even among these cultural communities. The expectations that people outside those communities must obviously be aware of all of the subtitles of these debates, and also to have taken a particular side is not a fair expectation. The criticism is that the project is appropriating symbolism of another culture and that this appropriation is necessarily racist. Neither are settled issues, though, so the tenor of the complaint troubles me because it is based on the idea that these are settled issues and issues people must be aware of.

I want to stress that being a settled issue is not a hurdle to cross in order to advocate to others. If you see a wrong, you should speak out and present your case. You can't just be upset that other people don't get your position. A lot of time, we can't even expect that.

I don't expect people to get fat acceptance. Does that mean I don't advocate for it? Hell no. Does it mean that I need to play nice in advocating for it? Hell no. But it does mean that I don't just criticize people for not agreeing with me about issues they may have never been exposed to and which in wider progressive communities, there exists a lot of disagreement over. Being fat positive is not something I can expect of my political allies. I don't need to accept that, but I do need to recognize that.

I get the frustration in having to constantly educate people about your beliefs. EVERYONE who believes in fat acceptance gets that, because often it feels like its all we ever do. And from that experience, I know there is a degree of deference that the disenfranchised can never expect from those in privileged classes. I don't think as an advocate for fat acceptance that I must do all the work, but I do know I need to do some of the work. I do need to take some ownership over educating people and advocating for my positions. I can't just be frustrated that people don't get it. I can't just write people off for not knowing and agreeing with issues they've never been exposed to. I'm not saying don't draw a line, but there needs to be a degree of latitude offered as well. That isn't the same as saying that attitudes that offend you are okay. Its giving people room to be better. Its recognizing people you can make into allies rather than bemoaning that they aren't operating as such yet. We all need to be agents of the change we seek. We need to own our beliefs and advocate for them. Its not easy. I know how discouraging it can be to feel like you are constantly educating your political allies. I'm not saying there isn't a point where you just say to someone that its time they figure it out for themselves. But if you want change, you need to engage people and you need to take a role in making that change happen. I try to do that with fat acceptance. And I know the risks of not apologizing for advocating for your position, too. But no matter what people will accuse me of, I don't think that people who disagree with me are necessarily bad people. I don't see how I could even if I wanted to, because the reality is virtually everyone I interact with our encounter on a daily basis disagrees with me. I can respect that people can in good faith disagree with me. Doesn't mean I shouldn't tell them why I feel they are wrong. Doesn't mean I should "agree to disagree". Doesn't even mean I should respect their good faith view. It means that if I want one more person to see things from my perspective, I need to share that perspective. Not just by being critical that they disagree, but by educating them about how I think they should be looking at the issues.