This week’s Tank Top Tuesday pic comes from Beej of http://flickr.com/photos/tootsicle. If you’re on the Fatshionista LiveJournal community, you’ll have seen her there for sure! Always stylish with a unique or handmade twist, this gal knows how to work that fatshion like nobody I know! =0)
And now you can check out her brand new blog: http://thebustytraveler.blogspot.com!

Thanks, doll! I love this pic! It’s all sass & glam and thank you ma’am! Ha!

**Exercise your right to bare arms! Email your Tank Top Tuesday pic here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com I still haven’t had any guys submit a photo. I would love to feature ya though. So please, take a chance, we love everyone here! <3

This post from LifeOnFats.wordpress.com made me realize that we must arm ourselves in a positive way against those that would have us hiding or shaming ourselves. While getting through to any major news outlet is nearly impossible (corporate sponsorships and all) there must be a way for us to turn those unsolicited dieting tips into a positive moment. So here’s what I propose: A neat & handy card, like a business card, only with a positive message and a website for them to look into if they so choose. This way they can simply go about their business OR they could see what it is that has you so happy and not wanting to diet! This is my first draft, please comment with your suggestions:

This was it’s not super confrontational. When they give you a diet tip or other such nonsense, simply hand them the card…or better yet, say, “Oh! I think you might like this!” and then hand them the card. Maybe it will feel less defensive that way? I don’t know. Just a  first draft and I am open to other options, for sure!

If you do like the card as is and would like the pdf for your own use, comment and I will email it to you! Yay!

I think this week has left us all a bit raw or vulnerable feeling. It almost seems as though the entire nation is coming to a head over various topics of hate. Suddenly, hate is all popular for some reason. I’m wondering if that reason isn’t related directly to the election next week. I’m also considering the possibility that a lot of this is due to sheer frustration with our lives, economy and impotent government. So much hate spewed back and forth, criss-crossing all over the place. For what? What does it get you in the end? It certainly can’t help you sleep at night.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about this over the last two days. I have spent a lot of time in my head thinking about a lot of things. Yeah, I’m having one of those moments in time where I’m looking at my life as a whole. After a fabulous week last week and then a huge-ass downer of a b-day on Monday? Well, I’m pooped! Maybe I spend too much time in my head, maybe not enough. I don’t know.

I do know that I’m still here and willing to fight the good fat fight! It’s super hard, but I’m patient and stubborn. I’m not going anywhere. Because no matter who you are, what you look like or what you’re doing? Someone hates it! But more importantly, someone loves it and you!

I have been so impressed with my fellow FA bloggers this week. I am so grateful to have them in my life. They seriously know how to write some great and articulate backlash posts! I’m not so good with that. You see, I get mad and just start swearing up a storm until the words go away entirely. Ha! And where my head is at this week? I don’t need anyone telling me that I don’t deserve the life I have worked so very fucking hard to have let alone love or the movement of my own body. I don’t need hate in my life. At all.

I don’t want the world to see me as exclusively sexually attractive or not. I don’t want to be the example of someone’s morality diatribe. I don’t want to be seen as anything but me and my multi-faceted self. I want to be left the hell alone to do my living and breathing things. I don’t need lady magazines telling anyone that just by existing I am somehow wrong and representative of all things sinful and gross. Had I wanted the opinion of, well, anyone? I’d fucking ask!

I don’t believe in hate. My religion is truth and kindness. I do think that your actions come full circle back to you. I believe in equality for everyone and not just a select few. I’m not saying that we can hug and positive think our troubles away, not at all. What I am saying is that when someone comes from a place of great privilege, they need to check themselves before they (yep, I’m gonna say it) riggety-wreck themselves! And gee, you don’t wanna see fat people kissing? Well, too bad for you! Better close your eyes today, for tomorrow fat love shall rule! (Man, I wish I could be there).

The more we are publicly fat, I think, the more normal we will (one day) be seen. I think this hate spewing is done by just a select few, but loudly. So hey, time to crank up the volume on our side and let those who are fearful know that they are not alone, they are worthy and they should have every right to all things anyone else does. You can end the hate in your heart by loving and giving when and where you can.

How else can we fight against those who would have us killed simply for being fat?

I suddenly can’t remember how I found Big Boy Fashion but I am so glad that I did. I had long complained (whined, bitched, wev) about the lack of male perspective in the fat blogs (only two that I’m aware of and only one has posted fatshion pics to my knowledge). And I am loving it every day! It’s so refreshing to see fatshion presented in a “whatever makes you feel good” sort of way! It’s certainly how I approach fatshion. In a way I wish everyone saw fatshion this way so that manufacturers would be forced to use more natural fabrics and designs. Ha-ha! Please check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Please go to Fatshionista.com and read today’s post! Because it perfectly illustrates exactly why I write this blog and why I go out of my way to be publicly fat and why we have to fight tooth and nail to be seen as even close to equals. And I know it’s never easy! And it may never get easier, but I sure as hell am not giving up, especially in the face of such fat hate as the above post talks about.