As a society, we've been working diligently in the last decade to right some of the wrongs ingrained in our culture. To this end, we've become more accepting of different body types and strive for media and content that show us real bodies, as opposed to the polished and largely unattainable versions of humanity that we've been told to idealize for so long. Despite all of our work to do better and be better, there's still a long way to go.
Recently, a transgender man named Kivan took to Twitter to discuss some of the painful realities of being fat. He even goes on to explain why the societal strides we think we've made in accepting and being inclusive of other body types haven't caused any real change. What he says is hard to swallow, whether or not you're someone who has struggled with your weight. It is, however, important for all of us to understand the realities of living day-to-day life as an overweight person.
As Kivan begins discussing the things he goes through as an overweight person, you might not think it's too bad. After all, everyone has their own hang-ups about themselves, right?
It's more than just hang-ups, though.
Is it just a hang-up about yourself when it starts to spill into other areas of your life?
Can you really call it a hang-up when something as simple as shopping becomes a traumatizing experience?
Many of us feel powerless against the concept of beauty. No one should feel like beauty is otherness, however, something that just couldn't be a qualifier for them unless self-imposed.
This thread of Kivan's thoughts just might make you rethink how you view people.
They say that celebrity is feeling like you're under a microscope at all times, but this really speaks to that feeling. After all, celebrity is being under a microscope ultimately aimed to praise you or give you attention for behavior regardless of if it's good or bad. What Kivan discusses is having your every activity and movement analyzed simply for being there, without ever in the slightest asking for it.
While overweight people are not the only ones who are sometimes disregarded by onlookers as disgusting, isn't what's really disgusting the fact that any of us can look at someone else and have the nerve to be repulsed?
We are, to a degree, trying to work toward being a more positive and inclusive society. Does the work we do really matter if people can't consume media without being reminded that society has a problem with the way they look?
Fact: No one should have to hear these words.
It's absolutely repulsive to believe that a person could feel emboldened to tell another to be grateful to be a victim of sexual assault.
No person should feel disposable.
While the internet has given us so much, it's also given the guise of anonymity to people who want to spew hate. The leaders of your favorite social network might speak out against this, but what have they really done?
None of us want to think about how we'll die. Imagine thinking it doesn't matter. It's unacceptable.
It seems obvious, but changes only matter if things actually change. You can say that you support being more inclusive to all body types, but if you can't eradicate behavior that contradicts that in your own life, you're helping things stay the same.
Sadly, a lot of people resonated with Kivan's Twitter thread.
Many people were quick to note that they always feel this hyper-awareness as well. You should never have to feel apologetic for existing and taking up space. WE ALL DO.
Imagine knowing that when meeting a doctor, it's likely the doctor will blame you for your own ailments. Treatment being biased in that way can be a matter of life or death for many individuals.
Overweight people can't take the things for granted that so many others in the population do. Because they are under such endless scrutiny and are so directly blamed for their own issues, they must exercise a degree of self-awareness that some people will never even approach in their lifetimes.
It's up to each and every one of us to do better. Being overweight is not always something that's within a person's control. It's not something to scrutinize or draw constant attention to. Kivan's thread, the entirety of which isn't included here but is absolutely worth reading, speaks to the realities of an entire portion of humanity that we often disregard or straight ignore. It's wonderful that we're trying to send a message that all body types are OK and should be celebrated on a societal level. Until we all do more to eradicate the hateful comments and the unfunny jokes in our own social circles, however, we are continuing to let them suffer in silence, in a way no person living in the 21st century should have to.
