Says Fat Suit Movies Insensitive to People of Size
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is calling for a boycott of Shallow Hal, the latest in a series of Hollywood offerings that costumes actors in fat suits. The organization asserts that movies like Shallow Hal, America's Sweethearts and The Klumps not only reinforce stereotypes and myths about fat people, but underscore the prejudice against fat people in this country.
"Putting thin performers in fat suits is no different than putting white performers in blackface," says Maryanne Bodolay, executive administrator of NAAFA. "To have these actors become fat and then film them gorging on food and breaking chairs is an insult to the 55% of Americans who are deemed overweight."
Although the ultimate message of Shallow Hal and other such movies is that inner beauty trumps appearance, those at NAAFA say that the end doesn't justify the means. These movies are giving people permission to make fun of fat people, says Bodolay. "Hollywood is intent upon perpetuating the myth that fat people are miserable and unattractive, and that the path to happiness is through losing weight. In reality, beauty comes in all sizes, and people can find happiness at whatever size they are."
NAAFA is encouraging its supporters to protest stereotyping of fat people by the movie industry by boycotting Shallow Hal. "In an age when Hollywood is seemingly committed to diversity in its movie roles, they're long overdue in including characters that happen to be fat, where weight is not the focus of the role," says Bodolay. "Hollywood has the power to change the way fat people are perceived, and we at NAAFA would welcome the opportunity to work with them to achieve that goal."
All kidding aside, it's possible to track what you're buying at the store when you use a debit/credit card or even the store's discount card. I believe some stores already use such a system for targeted marketing. I wonder what will happen to my insurance rates when someone thinks that I'm purchasing too much red meat/cheese/butter.....hummmmmm? I wonder where I left my tinfoil hat.
Mark