More Than a Feeling...Or Not a Feeling At All?

Hello Readers,

Earlier this month, my SRP Advisor Dr. Anné sent me some articles on a recent Facebook controversy, and I found it very interesting, so I want to share it with you.

In 2013, Facebook launched a feature where users can post about how they are feeling in their status updates. Facebook offers hundreds of emotions and accompanying emoticons to choose from. However, recently, one addition to the feelings feature caused a controversy among some users. While the new additions were supposed to offer more options to users so they can express exactly how they feel, some are upset by what they say Facebook is falsely calling an emotion: fat.

Feeling happy, feeling sad—those are clearly emotions. But “feeling fat?” Over 14,000 users have signed a petition to remove “feeling fat” as an option. They say that it makes fun of people who are overweight and people who have eating disorders.  With so many movements towards positive body image, this option on Facebook is thought by some to be counterproductive to such movements, and instead promotes “body shaming.”

The petition was written by Catherine Weingarten with Endangered Bodies (an organization that positivity towards all body shapes and sizes) during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This movement encouraged supporters to use #FatIsNotAFeeling to spread awareness for the cause. Weingarten told People Magazine that to her, after her struggle with an eating disorder, that “feeling fat” isn’t just “a light, cute sort of thing for everyone.” She also said in an interview that “Fat is not a feeling. Fat is a natural part of our bodies, no matter their weight. And all bodies deserve to be respected and cared for."

With petition and all efforts to have the “feeling fat” option removed, Facebook has now decided to take it down.  Below is the emoticon that goes with the “feeling fat” option of Facebook.

Thanks for Reading!

-Carly