‘You Go Girl!’ Ain’t Enough: Queer Atlanta Author Encourages Activism Against Racist Fat Phobia
In case you haven’t noticed, fat bodies are having a moment.
It’s apparent in marketing strategies like Victoria’s Secret’s recent 180-degree turn toward size inclusivity; in the abundance of plus-sized TV and book characters reaching beyond stereotypical “fat friend” roles, and every time pop phenom Lizzo proudly struts her extra-large frame across the stage to wild applause.
The new era message is fat positivity, and to the casual observer at least, it appears there’s never been a more affirming time to be a big person.
Da'Shaun L. Harrison knows better. Large, Black, and queer, they exist at a precarious nexus of historically undervalued identities with complex social stigmas that reach far beyond what a few size-inclusive ad campaigns can address.