This I believe essay

Dec 26, 2008

I believe that fat people are people too. Most of my life I have been ridiculed and looked down upon for being fat. It started for me in the third grade. It was then that I became not only the tallest kid in my class, but also the fattest. In fifth grade I was chosen to model in a fashion show put on by the fifth grade. I was nervous, quickly followed by mortified, when all the models went to JC Penny to shop for the clothes we would wear in the show. While all the other kids were looking through the racks of trendy “kids” clothes, I was forced to try and find something relevant in the women’s department. This fact was even announced during the show. It was like they were announcing to everyone “look, it’s the fattest girl in fifth grade.” I never wanted to be in the spotlight again. This was the first real trauma I experienced as a fat person. It was the first time that I truly realized that society does not treat fat people as people. Junior High PE was another traumatizing period in my life. We had to wear short green gym shorts and white t-shirts, which of course didn’t come big enough. Needless to say, all of my fat was exposed and jiggled relentlessly while I was forced to participate. The kids thought this was hilarious and the teachers bombarded me with disapproving looks. Like I wanted to be fat! Why couldn’t they just treat me like everyone else? I was a person too! I am 32 years old now and I am the fattest I have ever been. I still feel the social effects of being fat every day. I am a mother of three. It is devastating when my boys come to me sobbing over their friends making fun of them because their mom is fat. I hate that my size is affecting them. I don’t get out of the car when I drop them off or pick them up from school because they don’t want anyone to see how fat I am. My middle son has asked me numerous times why I have to be fat. How do I answer that? My oldest son has made numerous comments about not wanting to eat certain things because he doesn’t want to get fat like me. It hurts so bad to have my children talk this way. It infuriates me that society has taken on the view that fat people are disposable. That fat people do not deserve the same kindness that is afforded to other people. It is time that society realizes the fat people are people too!!!

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