A public talk exploring the movement behind messages on body positivity will be taking place at The Hive next week.
Robyn Platt
Robyn Platt, Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Worcester, will be speaking on the topic ‘Fat Activism: The Grassroots Activism Behind Body Positivity’ on March 18 from 5pm-6pm.
Fat activism is a social movement that pushes for a change in attitudes to people’s weight and different body shapes, and equality for those people in society. It started in America in the 1960s, at the same time as many other movements like disability rights, civil rights, and gay rights.
Robyn’s free event will outline the history of fat activism, what it seeks to achieve, and how it has influenced the rise of body positivity. She will also explain how fat activism operates today through micro activism and campaigns.
Her talk is part of an English, Media and Culture series of weekly talks and workshops by the University’s experts, which continues over the coming weeks.
Despite their links, in her talk Robyn will also draw a clear distinction between fat activism and body positivity.
“Fat activism is the politicised version of body positivity,” she said. “It rejects and questions the standards that shape what we think about fatness and health.”
She added: “We have this idea of body positivity, but that doesn't address the root cause of how we see different bodies. Fat activism works to try and change those forms of discrimination to create a more liberated world for fat people – which is the preferred term among the activist and scholarly community on this topic.”
Robyn said attitudes towards different bodies improved in the 2010s, but have since gone backwards, which links to her research into how social cultural and institutional forces shape our understanding of body and health.
“The issue is inherently political, which is why sociology is so interested in it,” said Robyn. “Fat people face poorer health, education and employment outcomes, and are often paid less for the same work.”
She added: “Despite this, the topic is frequently ignored, partly because fatness is still seen as a personal failing. Many fat people also have other marginalised identities, such as being poorer or disabled, which creates a layering of disadvantage.”
Places for the talk are free, please book in advance on Worcestershire County Council what’s on webpages.