Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass

Today I received the latest newsletter from The Obesity Action Coalition.  I think they’re doing really wonderful things to help advocate for the obese and bring awareness about weight bias and discrimination.  Whenever I can, I try to help support the cause and lend my voice.  Today’s request brought on some mixed feelings and emotions for me, and a need to shift the focus slightly (my own personal agenda after reading more):

Offensive Stock Photo Images – Read OAC Article Here
Summary:

Photo: istockcredit.com

According to the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, “72% of photographs paired with online news stories about obesity are stigmatizing toward individuals affected by obesity.

News photographs and videos tend to portray individuals as headless (i.e. only from the shoulders down), from unflattering angles and engaging in stereotypical behaviors (eating unhealthy foods or engaging in sedentary behavior).”

For this “Bias Busters” issue, we want you to encourage the online stock photography Web sitesiStockphoto.com, Getty Images and Bigstock to remove these images and others from their Web sites as the images degrade and dehumanize individuals affected by obesity.

I read the article and my immediate reaction was to start typing away and sending my emails to these stock photo companies.  For me, it’s always difficult to find a balance between reacting logically and thoughtfully, and reacting emotionally when dealing with sensitive weight-related topics.  As someone who faced stigma and bias for most of  her adult life, that balance can be difficult to achieve at times.

While I advocate for obesity issues and against weight bias, I also know that obesity is an epidemic in this country.  While these images often times reflect poor taste in publications and websites, they also represent a large portion of our population and culture as a whole.  Obesity has such a variety of factors that contribute to the disease, but  poor eating choices and sedentary lifestyles also contribute.  Does obesity run in my family genetics?  Yes.  As a morbidly obese woman, did I make poor food and lifestyle choices that contributed to my declining health?  Yes.

The only hesitation I have is that while I absolutely agree that these images are almost always used in what could be considered a stigmatizing way, they also represent culturally what’s going on with us a whole, and I don’t think it would be wise to try and pretend otherwise.  I went to each of the sites and did an image search for obesity:

istockphoto:  http://www.istockphoto.com/search/text/obesity/source/basic#1383b581
(admittedly the least offensive collection of the bunch)

BigStock Photos: http://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/obesity/

Getty Images:  http://www.istockphoto.com/search/text/obesity/source/basic#1383b581
(the MOST offensive of the bunch)

For the most part, I didn’t immediately find many “highly offensive” images at first glance, but I have to wonder how much of that is because I’ve been slightly desensitized?  There were quite a few sexualized photos, and also some blatant “fat people are gluttonous slobs!” photos.  The rest, just are.  I don’t want these sites to wipe out a total database of obesity and obesity-related issues, but I also don’t agree with sexualizing obesity and/or glamorizing bias and discriminatory “jokes.”  I also find it particularly heart-wrenching that children are represented in gluttonous situations.  To me, that was the most offensive of all the photos.

Photo: Getty Images

Just one example of many – childhood obesity.

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Obesity is complex.  Genetics, environment, but also personal responsibility, it all factors in. But weight bias and discrimination is not acceptable.   I think what stings the most when I see pictures like this is that there was a time when that was me.   I would be gluttonous at times.  I made poor food and lifestyle choices that no doubt contributed towards my declining health both as a child and adult.   For me, it’s a very tricky line to tread because I do think we as a society need to be truthful about our behaviors and choices.  And some of those photos?  They represent those choices and our culture.  Is it pretty?  No.  But some are real, if we’re going to be honest.   I don’t think we should pretend that those behaviors don’t exist, because they do.  But I also think that they can be represented in a way that’s honest AND non-discriminatory.  So here’s where I personally chose to voice my concerns to each of these companies.   Wherever you fall on the “offended” scale, please be sure to use your voice.  It’s our most powerful tool in the fight against bias.

Dear [Company Name],

I was recently contacted by the Obesity Action Coalition regarding offensive obesity images in your gallery.  While I do believe that there should be a fair and equal representation of different types of people that make up the fabric of our society, I find some of your images highly offensive.

As someone who has struggled most of her adult life with morbid obesity, I take issue with the photos  that contain both sexualized images and blatant discriminatory bias.  Obesity is a disease that has dramatically increased in the past 20 years, and nearly one-third of our population suffers with obesity today.

Images that stigmatize individuals suffering with this disease do nothing but perpetuate hurtful stereotypes.  And worse, imposing those hurtful biases on children (as you’ve represented in some of your photos) is wrong.  When I search for the term “obesity” and come across photos that are clearly ridiculing children suffering with obesity, it breaks my heart.

Additionally, allowing images that sexualize obesity only serves to create more hits for the fetish-interested.  The fact that these sexualized images are included on the same page and results as photos of children is incredibly inappropriate and irresponsible.

With one-third of our country classified as obese, we surely all must know someone suffering with their weight and health.  If these images were to represent someone you loved and cared about, would that make a difference?  Nameless, faceless photo such as the ones represented in your search results represent people YOU know and love.

I would like to request that you please consider removing the offensive photos tagged under obesity.  At the very least, please at least remove the children that are represented in such a damaging and harmful way.