What Is Size Activism?
by Elegant Plus Magazine Guest Author, Rhonda Jo Wasson

Raise Your Voice!

Mention the term Size Activism and what comes to mind? A group of overweight people picketing an airline company? Or perhaps angry fat men and women refusing to listen to stereotypes and demand that changes be made to better suit them? Maybe it refers to someone’s height or low weight rather than the plus-sized community? Can someone who is really trying to lose weight or even have had weight loss surgery be a size activist? What does it really mean?

There is so much confusion in our society about what “activism” is, let alone “size activism.” Size Activism happens to be a very controversial issue, even among fellow activists. For example, controversy has risen with the boom of weight loss surgery. Some people within in the size discrimination movement have stated that activists who have had this done have sold out the movement (I was told this very thing by a certain activist group when I first had my Lap Band weight loss surgery in 2003). However, this could not be farther from the truth.

Let’s see if we can straighten out the confusion and get to the heart of the matter. By definition, activism is a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action, especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue (Miriam Webster dictionary). Size activism is the campaigning of making the cause of equal and fair treatment and rights of the overweight population. It is the breaking down of stereotypes. It is the fight for the right to be heard as any other group of individuals.

One does not have to be overweight in order to be active in the cause.

Just as every race should participate in the fight against discrimination of any racial minority group, people of all sizes and all walks of life should fight for the right of fairness and equality for the overweight. Discrimination of a population on any level is unjust and should be fought against.

How is this being done? Many ways. One example is a group of women friends that I know who range in size from a size 0 to a size 34, who each write letters weekly to retailers and designers regarding the discrimination of the plus-sized community in fashion. Another group writes to government officials making them aware of the situation and the plight of its citizens and asks for reforms. Others have formed companies catering to the overweight community. You need not join an organization dedicated to this cause to become active in this fight.

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