babe stop worrying about losing weight, we’re losing our rights

how our hyper fixation on thinness is distracting us from a bigger problem- fascism

New York just got it’s first taste of fake spring. Bringing with it the reminder of the warmer months to come full of ocean air, little-to-no clothing, and the will to live again. *cue that LeBron meme* However, it has also brought the reminder that with the warmer months comes the nagging expectation to have the perfect summer bod.

This feels vulnerable to admit, especially as a thin person who recognizes that I have to work on my own internalized fatphobia, that this anxiety isn’t new but definitely feels heightened. Simply because I don’t have the flat stomach I want or once almost had.

Two years ago I went through a divorce and dropped 20lbs in the process. It was one of the most stressful experiences of my life, and the thinnest I’ve been as an adult. It was also the time I was complimented the most about how much I was ‘glowing’. I initially thought it was because I had gotten rid of my ex and people could sense how light I felt, which I do believe to be partially true. However as I’ve found myself recovering from that stress and getting into a healthy relationship, I’ve begun to gain most of that weight back and have lost most of those “idk what it is but you’re glowing” type of compliments.

Having my body being perceived in that way has sat like a cloud over my head, making me more conscious of it now more than ever. Add that experience with the rise of thin-tok and ozempic, where flat abs have once again become an accessory and celebrities feeling compelled to drop to scary weights. The resurgence of 2000’s media is obviously here, but this time feels even more sinister.

As the media and society praise women for being thin, I can’t help but think that it serves as a distraction to what’s happening in our country. My anxious energy generated by another unconstitutional law being passed is now being redirected to “how can I get fit fast before spring break arrives?”.

Granted, it’s much easier to have a sense of control over our own bodies than individually stopping this fascist train that we’re on. And I won’t be surprised if we all begin to lose weight due to the stress of more ‘unprecedented’ news and soaring grocery prices. But is this reason to celebrate and welcome our thinness?

I can’t help but feel that as we celebrate thinness due to these factors that we are becoming actively complacent to the actions this capitalistic, fascist government is doing. Welcoming a trade off for quality of life in exchange for unhealthy beauty.

And seeing as how women have been a driving force for change, being underfed and distracted is exactly what these greedy goons want from us. Our desire to be seen, valued, and to have a sense of belonging is being exploited. Being used as a weapon to keep us ignorant and too exhausted to fight back.

I urge you to not read this and say “well what about xyz”. There’s nuance when it comes to this, like all things. I’m all for the girls getting stronger and healthier. Especially when it comes from a place where -god forbid- we need to prepare for a physical revolution that will require us to be fit and healthy minded as well. But remember that thinness does not equal health and that hyper focusing on being skinny for aesthetics sake will not get my rights or yours back.

So as these warmer months approach, why don’t we redirect that anxiety towards productive channels like being a part of local politics, reading the books that are on banned lists, or simply shaking ass with community? I promise you that all of these actions and more will serve you better than hyper fixating on your or my own thinness.