I have never settled down and thought proud of my body – the memory recalls & shines repeatedly that the moment I step into my elementary school classroom in which my thick body was pointed out to me. The “fat girl” and "fat funny friend" labels me all the time and sadly, it was not only implying my figure shape but also a state of my personality. It has become a shadow along with me throughout my life.
It isn’t a unique experience only for me personally. Studies suggest about 17% of US children are presenting with obesity in America. It has raised concerns about cardiovascular disease and diabetes doing the average American children’s adolescent years. (National Library of Medicine, 2019)
As for obesity fact to girls, 40% to 60% of elementary of elementary-aged girls are concerned about their weight. About 50% of which once bullied or discriminated against due to their body presence & performance. And 78% of 17-year-olds are “unhappy with their bodies.”
The song “Fat Funny Friend” written by Singer and songwriter Maddie Zahm has perfectly digested the ambiguity of “fat friends” with her song. An extremely isolating experience for obese people and the mandating of large-sized people to fit in a world where utterly strict about their body size. In this song, Zahm lights a candle in the dark and shines the gloomy heart bright.
When I hear the song, with her voice flows:” I break the ice, so they don’t see my size.” The strong, intense emotion blew up. In a lightweight-obsessed culture, to be an oversized individual, life is like walking a tightrope and you care not to break that thin ice wall so that you can be accepted by this morbid society.
We can’t change the matrix but adapt to it. Just like the song says: “Better if they laugh with me than at me.” Yes indeed. The way a fat girl copes herself against smears and ridicule from others is always self-depreciation: if to be a “fat funny friend” is all and everything we could be tagged for, then a harlequin is what we had. But is there anything else that we could be valued?
The next line of the lyric does really explain the mental dilemma of fat people: “can’t be too proud, can’t think I’m pretty”. The word mercilessly unveiled the absurd realistic – When the world and society see obesity as ugly and the matrix calls everyone to follow it, I will never value myself properly, I have to accept the only fact that I am FAT AND UGLY. I would never stand a chance to think that I am GOOD and BEAUTIFUL. Just like the next line: “Do they keep me around, so their flaws just seem silly?” because the world has defined: Fat people are repeatedly told that they aren’t worthy of feeling good about their body and their health status, the fat is evil. Fat people became a token that people can laugh at you any time without taking any responsibility. They can make fun of me with peace of mind, while I must bear the guilt because I am fat. For that, I became what they called a “fat funny friend”.
Also, Zahm has sharply pointed out the commercial scam which both, directly and indirectly, drives the publicities' discrimination against fat people: “has I've done every diet to make me look thinner, So why do I still feel so goddamn inferior?” Yes, because of the diet costs. There are too many diet plans, services, and supplements on the market. While everyone is sickly seeking a so-called “perfect body figure”, and their diet products can sell, to drain the last penny in your pocket – the intrigue is too obvious to be hidden and the business logic is easy and clear. But once we are drowning in the slim figures presented online, on TV, everywhere, can we realize who is manipulating the trend? Zahm has real insight and exposes it with her song, which makes Fat Funny Friend and her works so different and outstanding.
Fat Funny Friend isn’t just a song, it plays a much more important role than it appears. A symbol for fat people fighting back against fatphobia. A slogan that counters consumerism and body hate. Zahm’s song focuses on the universal experience among the plus-size community and awakens fat people.
A good song needs to be heard by more people, especially those who share similar situations and emotions. Luckily, we do have a place like that. The PlusCupid is maybe the best social network service where you could receive more attention and emotional care from other people. You might expect people talking to you on PlusCupid can better understand your feeling and anxiety since PlusCupid is a meeting/ dating service which only open to plus-sized people. You will no have "fat funny friend" here, but real, reciprocal friends here on PlusCupid.
My deeper insight about Zahm and her song Fat Funny Friends was got from the moment picture wall from PlusCupid. A member shares her concern about her body and detailed reviewed this song and dig out the spiritual core of the Fat Funny Friends, which echoed my feeling too. That was the drive why this post has been made. And there are anti-body community activities on PlusCupid, which also encourage me to speak out my voice.
Good song never fade. Zahm bravely screamed out the pain and sorrow of plus-sized groups. Also it is a good warning which tells us to keep away from those “fat businesses”. Also, a good place for fat people talking, communicating and sharing, PlusCupid, is worth suggesting.
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