There is nothing inspirational about being fat

It's been a while since we've learned, the word 'fat' when used as an adjective is offensive. That it needs to be replaced with 'big' while referring to a person who has put on more weight than is necessary, to survive this cruel world. Now going by this trend, soon 'thin' 'tall' 'short' 'voluptuous' 'muscular' and all words referring to human physical traits will become offensive too. If we indeed believe that 'beauty' is not a watertight compartment bound on all six sides by words like 'white' 'fair' 'slim' 'toned' 'lean' '36-24-36', we needn't put a philological gag order on 'fat'. 

Gabourey Sidibe is an American actress of African descent. I didn't know her name until last week when I saw some of my friends sharing her photos on facebook. When I googled her, apart from the fact that she is an accomplished actress, I found out two interesting traits that mostly characterized her growing presence on social network. First, there were men (mostly white) labelling her as 'fat' and 'ugly' one of whom had gone to the extent of wishing his enemies end up in bed with her. Second, there were women sharing her photos hailing her as a symbol of women empowerment.

Both, were doing this primarily because one, she is of African ancestry or 'black', two, she is fat, and three, she is a successful actress in spite of not conforming to the popular code of beauty. The first kind (the offensive men) deserves no justification at all. They need to be confronted and told why their idea is all sorts of wrong. But I don't wish to discuss them here. 

However, the second lot, in my opinion is not doing her a world of good either. Her professional achievements are beyond doubt commendable. That is took on Hollywood stereotypes of 'thin white female' head on is an unparalleled feat. But, her acting skills are no way related to her body weight. Perhaps Ms Sidibe has a medical condition. Perhaps it is her genes. Perhaps she it too lazy to work out. Perhaps, she eats too many of those mac burgers with extra cheese. Perhaps, she thinks it is cool to be overweight. Irrespective of the real cause behind her bulk and irrespective of how pretty we think she looks showing off her form with elan, she is living under the constant threat of suffering from a series of very dangerous and fatal diseases. Not all things of beauty bring joy forever. While beauty is not at all related to the presence or absence of body fat, staying fit (disease-free) might just have a thing or two to do with it. Also, obesity is not glorifying. It does not take much effort or talent or perseverance to become obese and there is nothing inspirational about it. 

All this talk about glorifying obesity in fact, is highly suspicious and I have bad feeling about it. To me it looks like just another propaganda designed under the collective aegis of plus size fashion, fast food and medical industry. If people believe it is cool to stay fat, all of these three industries can continue to comfortably earn their revenue and stay in business. Artists like Ms Sidibe should stop misleading people who look up to them. Obesity and anorexia are conditions one should get rid of. Between white and black is huge area called grey. Let's recognize it.