“Are you a fatty? Want to be in a book? Waddle over to a computer, grab your typing stick (those sausage fingers hit too many keys at once, don’t they?), go to stacybias.net, and fill out the contact form for your chance to contribute to Bias’ FatGirl Speaks, a short-fiction anthology inspired by her event of the same name.” The proceeding is an entry from “Notes from the Margin” in the Aug. 23 edition of the Willamette Weekly. After receiving a multitude of insensed voice mails, e-mails and letters, the columnistKarla Starrdecided to respond to the public outcry. “I sincerely apologize to Ms. Bias and everyone I hurt with my words, which perpetuated the notion that weight discrimination is the last acceptable form of prejudiceregardless of your past or present size, it’s never OK,” Starr states.

As a woman of zaftig stature, I must say that I was not hurt by Starr’s ignorant and callous article. Instead, I was livid. So, I sat down at my laptop to let my sausage fingers do the talking. I am disturbed by the level of discrimination exhibited against people who are carrying extra weight. I’m not here to say that everyone should believe that big is beautiful, but big is not cause for hateful cruelty.

Our society is obsessed with weight. The ridiculous “ideal” that is shoved down our throats daily is a farce. Magazines, advertisements, movies, music, televisionthe notion of body “perfection” is relentless. Now that I am 30, I can honestly say I am really sick and tired of it. Sure, I carry some extra pounds, but I am one of the healthiest people I know. And, having lived through all the jokes, torments and hurt I can tell you thisI am a strong, aware woman because of it. This awareness is a dangerous thing to all of the cosmetic companies, for I can also tell you that everything they are trying to sell you is a bunch of lies.

Big, fat, ugly liesjust like the ones I heard in my youth.

Every woman alive can be beautiful if she believes it. I still don’t believe it, but at least I am trying. To be your best self is the ultimate beauty, and that comes from inside. Cliche, I know, but it is also true.

Honestly, I come from a long line of big ladies, no waifs in my family tree. And that is fine with me. My momma is a big woman, so is my auntie, but they are a couple of formidable babes who can fascinate you with the turn of a phrase.

My two best girlfriends in college were skinny and very aesthetically pleasing, but they also had strength, courage, intelligence and wisdom. Those qualities are what is important. Not your size. Not your age. Not your hairstyle. Not your skin clarity. Not the clothes you wear.

Weight discrimination is the last form of acceptable prejudice. I often wonder what it will take for us to realize that it is not OK. The article in the Willamette Weekly was not OK. The immature and distasteful idea behind it was not OK. The stereotypes that are perpetuated about people of formidable size are also not OK. I often find that people who deem it OK to ridicule and mock others typically are not OK with themselves. Thats too bad.

As an editor, if I had the chance to rewrite Ms. Starr’s blurb, it would have read something like this:

“Have you ever been teased because of your weight? Have you overcome size discrimination and persevered? Are you tired of trying to succumb to some unrealistic body image thrust upon you by fashion magazines and diet pill advertisements? Author Stacy Bias is waiting to hear from you. Go to stacybias.net and fill out the contact form for a chance to contribute to a short-fiction anthology based on Bias’ FatGirl Speaks.”

See? That’s much nicer.