Shake that F.A.T.A.S.S.

When organizers of FatGirl Speaks first started talking aboutradical cheerleading, they were simply admiring the idea behind thepractice. However, when the suggestion to start a fat, radicalcheerleading group in Portland was brought up at one of the group’smeetings, it wasn’t long before that vision became a reality.

Portland’s very own Fat Action Troupe Allstar Spirit Squad(F.A.T.A.S.S.) has been engaging in creative activism forapproximately two years, Olivia McClelland said.

McClelland has been a member of the squad since its inceptionand has performed with the group many times since their debutperformance at the 2003 FatGirl Speaks event. From shows atNocturnal and other venues, to Take Back the Night, to blow-outbirthday parties, F.A.T.A.S.S. PDX has been busy – and in highdemand – during the last year.

The squad focuses on fat acceptance, positive body image andchallenging America’s fashion and medical industries by shoutingabout such issues at the top of their lungs… while wearing shortskirts and holding pompons.

Spreading self-acceptance is a goal of the group, McClellandexplained, however it can be difficult to combat the media andsociety’s influences on people of size.

“One thing we’ve learned is that women have such a messed-upbody images,” she said. “We have a messed-up idea of what it meansto be in this world, or participate in this world. We hear womensay ‘Oh, when I’ve lost X amount of weight, I’ll do that.’ Don’tput off living your life because some asshole in the street saysyou’re fat. You’re not allowed to be seen, you’re not allowed toparticipate and you’re not allowed to be sexy in this countrybecause you’re fat. Health comes in many forms. There is a woman inour group who is a size 22, but she rides her bike to work everyday – that’s 16 miles – and she’s vegan and doesn’t smoke. She’shealthy person, but we don’t see that because we have a skewed viewof what healthy can look like.”

Members of the group are women who range from size 16 “and onup,” McClelland said, with ages ranging from 19 to latethirties.

“It’s a constant battle,” McClelland explained. “Every time wecome to practice, someone’s had a negative experience or someonethey know has, or they saw something on TV. Not a day goes by thatwe’re not confronted with this hatred of people, this hatred of fatpeople, or anyone who doesn’t fit into the category of ‘normal.’It’s obnoxious.”

F.A.T.A.S.S. PDX can be next be seen tomorrow evening at FatGirlSpeaks, which is being held at the Roseland Theater. After tomorrownight’s performance, members of the group will take a few weeks offto recuperate from months of nonstop practice, McClelland said.

For more information:
http://www.fatgirlspeaks.com
Home to information about FatGirl Speaks events, visitors to thesite can find out more about organizations involved in anti-sizeoppression activism, business who are fat-friendly and performersshowcased in this year’s event. FatGirl Speaks organizers are alsocurrently working to turn the group into an organization thatserves not only as a resource for community members, but also as ahub of activity for action and discussion surrounding the issues offat and body-acceptance. Their goal is to expand the Web site, helplocal groups acquire grants, and support them in continuing toeducate the public.

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
This site has an abundance of information surrounding eatingdisorders, their causes, societal influences, dieting and bodyimage. In addition to information for individuals of all agegroups, it is home to many useful links regarding similar subjectmatter.

http://www.naafa.org
Home of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, thiswebsite focuses on size-oppression and activism aimed at stoppingit. Useful articles, discussion boards, legal resources and otherinformation can be found here, as well as more about theorganization itself.

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and HealthPromotion’s information page about overweight and obesity. Includedon the website is information regarding how to define obesity,trends within the United States, as well as an abundance ofresources about the Body Mass Index.