Thin privilege is turning oppressive social issues into a joke for your own amusement.



First I want to say that I love this blog. The stories and opinion pieces here have really helped me overcome some of my body issues and realize that I need to accept myself for who I am instead of constantly striving to fit society’s absurd standards.



First I want to say that I love this blog. The stories and opinion pieces here have really helped me overcome some of my body issues and realize that I need to accept myself for who I am instead of constantly striving to fit society’s absurd standards.



As part of my journey towards loving my own body, I have started voicing my opinions and trying to educate friends and family about fat acceptance. I often link people to this blog and show them some of the articles I’ve seen here about the misconception that fat = unhealthy. Most people are respectful and open, and I feel like I’ve helped fix the negative perception of fat people for at least a few of my friends. Some people are not so open minded though…



A few days ago, one of my friends who is very fit and health-obsessed asked me if she could help design a weight loss regiment for me. I told her that I was perfectly happy with my weight, and then she predictably went on a rant about all the future health problems I’m going to have. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to tell her about the fat acceptance movement, but when I showed her this blog her reaction left me shocked. Here’s what she said pretty much word for word: “Oh, thinprivilege! I read this site all the time at work!” I was excited for a brief moment because I figured her familiarity with the blog would make her more open towards fat acceptance, but before I could say anything she continued with: “That place is so hilarious! Did you read the one about the girl at the football stadium? I was dying!” “That place is so hilarious! Did you read the one about the girl at the football stadium? I was dying!” At this point I was at a loss for words, I couldn’t understand how this person who I had previously respected could be so cruel and dismissive of such a serious issue, especially knowing how much I have struggled with body issues in the past. She could tell I was hurt, but she kept going: “Oh come on, don’t tell me you buy into that crap? It’s just fatties trying to blame everyone else for their problems so they can justify their lazy lifestyle and never lose weight. If anything, that blog should inspire you to lose weight! Do you really want to be like those women who post there? Crying every time you go to the doctor and being humiliated in public?”



“Oh come on, don’t tell me you buy into that crap? It’s just fatties trying to blame everyone else for their problems so they can justify their lazy lifestyle and never lose weight. If anything, that blog should inspire you to lose weight! Do you really want to be like those women who post there? Crying every time you go to the doctor and being humiliated in public?”

I was so taken aback, I didn’t know how to respond. I was overcome with shame and it felt like I was retreating back into my old shell, the one where I hated myself and was disgusted by my own body. I just stared at the ground, tried to muster a smile, meekly agreed with her, and sat there quietly while she lectured me on the proper ways to lose weight. That night I went home and cried myself to sleep.





It’s so sad that someone who I considered a friend could be so brainwashed by society’s ideal of beauty and the demonization of fat people that she can just laugh off our struggles as laziness. It’s sad that I’m so used to being oppressed that my default response is just to shut down and let the other person win. I’ve been slowly rebuilding my confidence after that encounter. I know she’s coming from a position of thin privilege so her opinions aren’t relevant to me. I also know that I DO want to be like the women who post on this blog. The people here are confident and proud to be themselves, that’s what I want for myself and I’m not going to let thin privileged fat-shaming bitches talk me out of it!