I posted an article about thin privilege...

Honestly, when I looked at the photographer's images I didn't see people looking at her because they think she's fat. Many of them didn't even appear to be looking at her, or if they did it seems like it was a passing glance or that something she was holding or doing briefly caught their attention. I think she's looking for judgment where it doesn't exist.

That girl just looks like she was stopping in peoples way of walking, in all honesty. Only like one showed mockery of any kind....

(Though yes, i do believe thin privilege is a thing, just like the many other forms. A lot of people resist ideas of intersectionality in discussion of race/gender/sex/etc etc...for reasons i don't understand. Maybe just plain ignorance.)

Lib_B wrote: »

And got a variety of responses. Just because you don't bully, intimidate, etc. yourself, doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. And 'privilege' is just a way to be able to talk about things. If you are a white thin female, you can have white and thin privilege while also being affected by male privilege. It's just a way to look at how traits, characteristics, etc. benefit or harm (and I use 'harm' in the philosophical way - not necessarily in physical harm). I also wouldn't suggest that the effects of privilege are 'intentional.' It's mostly because we've been conditioned to believe that 'a' is better than 'b.' The best way to be rid of privilege is to recognize it.

I offer these for consideration:

http://haleymorriscafiero.com/ (a study in photographs about how strangers perceive the fat photographer)

and this http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/21/health-weight-career-forbeslife-cx_avd_0521health.html

I have been thinking about this word: "privilege" and whether or not privilege associated with gender, race, weight, height, etc. actually exists. I think that people with any combination of characteristics will get some extra consideration for things than someone else with a different combination of characteristics.

I don't know if it equates to life advantages, or not. I think I could be convinced either way with something objective and scientific.

Ugh.

But i am sure you struggle shopping at the stores you like for sizes that fit your body. And when you watch commercials, the people in the ads more closely resemble your body image than that of a 300lb woman. You might get the occasional (yes, i said occasional) comment, but that doesn't take away from your overall privilege in society.

I still don't understand how is that a privilege? Would the solution be that when I go shopping there be no clothing that fits me and that all shows and commercials on TV feature 300 lb women? Would that make it fair? Clothing and TV programming are all about selling a product, right? They will sell to the majority. People usually make products for profit and not to make others feel well. It sounds cruel but that's what you do if you want to keep your business successful or at least afloat

I have, among other businesses, a clothing store. I do carry plus size clothing but it is really hard for me to find stuff in plus sizes that I like to sell. I've go to the trade shows and funny thing: I have found clothes designers that are overweight themselves and yet they make smaller sizes. Why is that? Probably because it sells better. In my own store I sell way more smaller sizes than larger even though it is gothic clothing, which has a reputation for appealing to bigger people. If I had nothing but plus sizes in my store I might not be able to survive. It's not cruelty or social comment, it's just pragmatism

I think "privilege" is just a loaded word. Everyone is judged by their appearance. Period. When you meet someone on the street, until you get to know them, you make basic assumptions immediately. I read the Forbes article, and I believe that weight may have played a role in my career trajectory. I gained about 50 lbs after having my kids, and when I went for a promotion I was denied. I re-interviewed for the same position a year ago, 50lbs lighter and got it. Was it solely because of the 50lbs weight gain? NO.

It wasn't the weight holding me back per se, it was the UNDERLYING issues that I was "dealing with" that not only caused me to put on the weight (having kids yes, lack of confidence and depression kept it on for about 6 years), and the new found confidence I had when I went back to the interview a year ago. An employer is going to judge and applicant not only on ability, but more recently I have heard many employers find that the person fitting the overall culture of the company is just as important. If they meet an applicant for a demanding job and feel their emotional state may be an issue due to overweight/underweight confidence issues, it may cause them pause.

This is reality folks. You are not a victim unless you want to be. I have no idea what white/black skinny/fat privilege is, because those I may think would be classified as privileged may have many more struggles than I do.