Click here for a transcript of this episode!
In this episode, we’re talking about how fatness is portrayed in the disaster genre. We’re bringing on friend of the pod Abi to talk Lord of the Flies, Wall-E, and Dietland!
Bookclub:
Fearing the Black Body / Black Owned Bookstores / bookclub webpage
From Yeli:
There were lots of examples in this chapter of the ways that different institutions uphold fatphobia and racism. For example, the medical industry really creates a connection between food and morality. This is directly reflected in the “standards of taste” document. It was also interesting to see that the document was changed and had a “reconfiguration of aesthetic details” - it really goes to show that all this systemic fatphobia is intentionally man-made! I also saw a connection between the society at Oxford back then upholding those ideals, and how universities and colleges today are built on white supremacy.
Exercise: First, journal about the ways that your industry, workplace, or media that you consume is complacent in fatphobia and white supremacy. Then, brainstorm one concrete way that you will work to dismantle them.
From Laila:
One aspect of Ch. 4 that gave me pause was the idea of "temperance" back then, and how I can see it’s far reaching effects still exist today. For example, it has always been considered as common knowledge amongst my girlfriends to "make sure to leave some food on your plate" if you’re ever on a fancy date at a nice restaurant. Or to "not dare touch the food table" during work meetings or professional conferences. These concepts are extremely damaging to women beyond obvious food restriction implications. It’s this idea that above all displaying your “femininity” is what matters most about you in this world. This sells such a damaging message that femininity comes first, and femininity = thin-ness, and showing restraint. The idea that performing femininity is more important than say, being present and enjoying yourself on that date or say, grabbing a bagel while sitting through that work meeting or while learning in a conference is completely absurd and centers men. It speaks to the ways men historically projected their stuff onto women, and the ways men have treated women as property, and therefore something to be controlled.
By viewing women a reflection of male wealth, status, and morality, it signals women's bodies don’t belong to the women who inhabit them, but rather to the men. Men have expected us to contort and starve ourselves for social status points, for honour, for bragging rights in their boys clubs. The Spectator and the Ugly Club are perfect examples of this. Men have had no issue putting the suffering and burden of it all squarely on the backs of women. The notion that women’s bodies have no inherent value and exist solely to serve the whims of men must stop.
Food waste as a symbol of (performative) femininity (and therefore a representation of one’s wealth or status) is just SO wild and shouldn’t exist in modern times. So, I urge any listernes out there to come join me on the dark side in learning how to a) divest your body from this harmful narrative and reclaim it as your own by b) de-centering men. Come in, the water is just fine! Do not be afraid to appear any less “feminine”. Do not be afraid of the implied lower social status”... enter into this wide, wonderful world. A place where you can take up all the space you want, where we can all eat whenever our bodies want us to...where we can be together to, in the words of Cardi B., “fat in peace”! ; )
For next week, read Chapter 5!
The Meat of It:
Abi on Medium / Abi on Insta / Clip from Tuca&Bertie / San Andreas / The Day After Tomorrow / Twister / Lord of the Flies / "Tongan Castaways" story / Kid Nation / Dietland / Sarai Walker / Sofie Hagen / Wall-E / Space Odyssey Clip *CONTENT NOTE FOR ABELISM* / Article about Black Masculinity in Moonlight / The Big Bride Club / SAF Wedding Episode
CALL TO ACTION: Learn about Black Women in Film History!
Check out this insta graphic from @thepowerthread and @bysahra to learn about 4 iconic Black women directors.
Learn about Ava DuVernay / her documentary 13th about anti-black racism and prisons in the US / her miniseries When They See Us about five Black boys falsely accused of assault and the violence done to them. These are both IMPORTANT, pretty necessary viewings, most especially for non-Black folk.
But we want you to learn more about Ava DuVernay beyond her incredible talent. Watch Ava DuVernay’s indie film I Will Follow. It’s about this woman moving out of her home, dealing with the grief over her Aunt’s recent death. Use Netflix Party to watch with a friend.
Not sure what we’re gonna do yet but maybe we’ll have a livestream or a watch with us twitter/insta story thread!
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Editing and Sound Design by Laila Oweda.
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