Fat kids in Thailand, what a surprise.
10 years ago the multi - national chains of KFC, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut began their march across the Kingdom of Thailand in a move that most of thought was modernization and progress.
10 year later The Nation brings us this story:
Thailand ranks among countries with the world's fastest-growing number of overweight children, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).The results of eating fast food need no scientific study and are clearly visible to the naked eye. Eating fast food makes you fat.
Now I have never been one to advocate hating people, but as is obvious by the growing problem, courteous suggestions won't solve this problem. It's time for us to say loud and proud:
I hate fat people
Sounds bad to say.. but think about it for a second. If you are overweight and your diet has been ruined by eating fast or junk food, you are putting money in the pockets of ugly multi-national corporations. You are not helping farmers or organic growers, instead you support destruction of rainforest's, global warming and other social ills. As harsh as it may sound, hating fat people will only lead to a growing awareness of the problem - and that can only be good.
There are some very valid reasons why hating fat people movement is good:
There are some very valid reasons why hating fat people movement is good:
- Fat people support greedy corporations by eating their low quality food.
- Fat people have a bigger environmental footprint and do more damage to the earth.
- Fat people have a higher health care cost.
- Fat people cost more to transport, thus more greenhouse gas emissions.
- Fat people are less productive members of society.
Labels: Bad Thai News
posted by Bryan at 11:09 AM
21 Comments:
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Yes, I do think it's mean to say that. It might better be said "I hate greedy American corporations that force themselves into other countries to exploit the people who are viewed as little more than another market base."
And there's always this: "Perhaps it's time to kick them out of Thailand."
Radical. I know. :)
Saw this photo for the first time several months ago and it made me think then too. I know most people here in the States think of all Asians as slim, but if you visit Thailand you'll see this is far from the truth. Thai's already eat pretty much fried food IMO, but the introduction of McDonald's et al. certainly has not helped matters.
To Thailandchani - yes you are right, it's the corporations I am talking about. But I am also talking about the people who buy from these greedy corporations.
Who are these people who buy cheap food from big corporations? It is becoming obvious who they are - cause they get fat off the low quality, high hormone laden, corporate produced food. By saying "I hate fat people" I am saying I hate people with no disregard for their environmental footprint and no disregard for their choices of where they spend money.
Thanks for your response.
I'm not sure hatred has ever created any positive change.
How about "I don't want to be fat because I respect my body and my life. I want to be healthy."
If you "hate" everyone who buys things from corporations, you'd better be careful where you buy your clothes, your shoes, your car, your furniture and everything else that surrounds you.
Personally, I prefer to not "hate". It never serves the larger good.
Thanks for the discussion and good luck with your blog.
People who choose to eat junk food are making unwise choices, but that doesn't make them hateful.
In choosing to hate them, you might as well be eating toxic waste because that is the effect of expressing such negativity.
This health crisis brought about by corporate greed is most deserving of concern, but I think that your hatred of its victims is misplaced.
I remember a lecture in my University of a nutritionist who's main point that discrimination against fat people was the least talked about and most practiced kind of discrimination. She was preaching acceptance and understanding on these issues.
I can agree with thailandchani that hate "..never serves the larger good". But I am also afraid that our acceptance and fear of being politically correct is keeping us from exploring the fact that real damage is being done. The kind of damage that calls for "wake up" language.
It's time to call attention to the fact that it should be socially unacceptable to be fat - as it is a strong indicator you have a low disregard for yourself, others and the well being of our planet. If strong language is needed in order to jump start this discussion, is it wrong?
It is always wrong to be hateful. I simply don't see where promoting discrimination against anyone can ever lead to a positive end.
This isn't about political correctness. That is often cited by people who simply want permission to be bigoted and discriminatory. Rush Limbaugh says it all the time.
This about normal human kindness. Shaming people and creating fear has never produced a positive result in regards to any social issue to the best of my knowledge. If you can cite an example of discrimination or hatred solving a social problem, I'd like to hear it.
When someone has a problem, we need to help them, not traumatize them.
Your position, I'm sorry to say, is one that obviously comes from a position of privilege.
There are many factors involved in excessive weight.
Did you know that poor people have more trouble affording healthy food than those who are more financially stable?
Did you know that food is encouraged as comfort in many cultures?
Did you know that corporations and capitalism both depend on perpetuating ill health?
Something tells me you do know all these things.
So why do you choose to promote hating people as a solution?
That's all I'm asking. I want to know why you think hating, ridiculing or humiliating others is acceptable human behavior.
If you can tell me that, I'll shut up and go away.
The value of using the strong language of hate, as a tool for bring people into a discussion trumps the nice guy approach for affecting change. More people will respond to a guy who "hates fat people" than a guy who - "would like to suggest overweight people consider what they eat".
I agree we need to help them. But maybe the kind of help I am think of is military boot camp, "work harder you slimy maggot" kind of help. The language of a boot camp sergeant is full of ridicule and humiliation, and I think you'd be hard pressed to show it's not effective.
It's time for strong language language and a time for accountability. People need to start waking up and taking responsibility.
In most cases, you are right.. it's not their fault. Culture, marketing and low-price are powerful factors. But the more people we can bring to an awareness, the better. And that's what this is all about.
Would you hate someone who killed a majestic white polar bear for fun? What about if you think of it like this:
Getting fat = eating at McDonald's = destroying rainforest = global warming = death of polar bears
Well, simply... we disagree.
I do not choose to hate. It's not good for me or anyone else.
My solution is more along the lines of cultural change. US culture, as an example, is a blight on humanity as far as I'm concerned. Yet rather than hating Americans, I'd rather invest my energy in planting the seeds of change.
We just choose to exist differently in the world.
Heaven help us both.
It is always possible to find a reason to hate others. No one is so pure that they can escape doing damage while here on earth. Everyone is flawed.
If other people's hatred of fat people could make me skinny, I would have been thin a long time ago.
I am with thailandchani. Love is the more productive, though tougher, path to travel. Good luck in your endeavors.
While I completely agree with what the mass consumption of fast food does to our bodies and planet, I vehemently disagree with your method. And, I would suggest not throwing stones. We are all guilty. You could add that you hate people who do nothing to protest but write posts on their blogs. You could add a lot of things.
I think hatred is a poor, unimaginative, hostile, ignorant, insensitive manner in which to deal with this serious concern, if you're serious.
I think it's a great post. I do.
But, seriously.
Do you think it might be a good idea for those so inclined to promote their belief system with proud in-your-face statements like, "I hate black people." Maybe it will stop black people from procreating.
"I hate lesbians" could be used to improve 'Steak & Blowjob Day'.
We could combine, "I hate ugly" with business cards for plastic surgeons.. that's sure to drum up business.
"I hate old people" might be enough to scare them into staying home and off our roads and out of our way in the supermarket check-out.
"I hate morons" could simplify rants and raves and comments with a condensed version of intelligent thought. Time saving, energy-saving and very to the point.
Please do not take offence. I mean, I'm not fat, so I wasn't supposed to, right?
"I think hatred is a poor, unimaginative, hostile, ignorant, insensitive manner in which to deal with this serious concern, if you're serious."
Couldn't agree more. But as a tag line to generate discussion, dialog and exploration.. It's not a bad juxtaposition of 4 words. (It is my most discussed post yet!)
Do people wearing "I hate cops" t-shirts really hate officers of the law? Maybe.. but more likely they hate the misuse of power that they see or experience.
I don't think many would be shocked to see a a person wearing an 'I hate cops' t-shirt - but how about an 'I hate fat people' shirt?
Why aren't the social ills that come from over consumption just as offending to people as corrupt cops?
Anyway, if anyone can suggest better stance than "I hate fat people"... Maybe "One more burger, one less species" I would be happy to hear it.
I am a fat person who doesn't eat fast food---ever. Ever. I am a fat person who accepts and loves her body as I am working hard to support my physiology to change to a healthier, more whole and healthy body type.
In the last few months I've gained 40 pounds from some medications I was taking. I did everything I could to try to stop the gain, and then finally discovered that it was the medication doing it.
Years ago, I used to weigh much more, so much more that I was restricted to a wheelchair. Now I know better and do better. This recent substantial weight gain scared me shitless as I have no desire to return to a lifestyle of invalidism, which---despite my best efforts---I seemed to be drifting towards.
This is long just to say that I've been much fatter (morbidly obese), I am obese now, and I will be just overweight soon. I'm looking forward to returning to my normal weight after that.
The pain of being fat is excruciating, 4amExpat. If you have no idea what you're doing to make yourself that way, you feel scared and alone and ostracized and out of control. If you do know what you're doing you feel horrible and guilty and BELIEVE ME---you do everything you know to do to change.
Sometimes you get tired and give up. Or you're a child, like these poor boys, with ignorant parents. We are not perfect. None of us are always strong. We need each other.
No one likes being fat.
No fat person eating fast food feels good about themselves; many eat this way because they don't know what else to do and/or because they are addicted to processed food. And they are tired and discouraged.
If you feel good about yourself you care for yourself and love yourself and others too. Fat people are not doing this.
Fat people need all the love they can get. Thinking shame will help may be a valiant attempt at love for us poor souls, or may make us want to wake up and not support greedy corporations, but I think that other approaches would be much more effective without the toxic waste that you must absorb as a by-product of hate.
Good for you for wanting to wake fat people up. Some may still be asleep and need to get some good advice. But they won't hear you because you hate them.
Hate and shame may seem to be the only route at times. I speak from experience here. There are more effective ways of communicating your caring and of shaking people awake. Better ways of getting them to care for the earth than telling them you hate them.
We are a part of the earth, a part of nature, and a part of each other. We are all one. Forget money for a second---we DO INDEED need to save the earth. And we can. Together. With love. Truth. Awareness.
You may hate me. But I live my life to love you in return and to work towards all the same things you want and that make us both human---elimination of greed and monopolies, being kind to our planet, self-responsibility in health care, and contributing to society in a positive way.
Maybe you can think of more creative ways to achieve your goals and to help us fat people without hate. You and I (and all of my fat sisters and brothers) would be better for it!
Peace and Special Saturday Blessings, Olivia
I have always tried to attack on issues and never on people...so I say I hate it when people abuse their bodies by eating eating unhealthy foods and doing unhealthy regimens. We have to understand that "fat people" may also be struggling themselves...and hating them is not helping them at all. I'm more on promoting wellness and helping these people become healthy by showing them ways how...
Olivia, I really appreciate your comments, and your story is a perfect example of why I am defiantly not advocating to hate you, the person.
I am, however going to hate the idea. It's not ok. I know it's not the fault of most overweight people, but it's not ok and something has to change.
Being fat represents corporate greed, quantity over quality, profits, and destruction of our planet.
As I grew up in America, I wanted McDonald's, Snickers and Coke like everyone else. My parents didn't have a lot of money or a lot of knowledge about corporate America. We did what everyone else did - some how I got lucky and didn't eat too many growth hormones.
I left for Thailand right after I finished university, and was astounded at how thin everyone was. We did notice, however, that there were some pretty tall teenagers. I then learned a funny fact. Milk was introduced to Thai schools oh, about 15 years ago.
So, USA full of fast/mass produced food. Thailand most buying from fresh wet markets.
And now 10 years later after fast food is everywhere in Thailand and now we are seeing reports that Thailand has a rapidly growing number of overweight children.
It's not coincidence!
Mariposa... Attack the issue.. agreed the issue is the more you consume, the more you hurt the earth.
You ask:
Anyway, if anyone can suggest better stance than "I hate fat people"... Maybe "One more burger, one less species" I would be happy to hear it.
Something along the lines of "respect yourself, respect your body, be healthy" would be a slogan I might pick, if you're talking about a social engineering campaign of some sort. It would be consistent with Asian values. (Remember Lee Kwan Yew?)
It's not that I disagree about the need for some sort of consciousness around obesity. I just don't think harshness or hatefulness works.
But I understand how you came to that way of thinking. Last night when I gave it more thought, I realized that it is so typically American. "Belly up to the bar, cowboy up and do it or you're a wimp." Honestly though, that is one of the things I so strongly dislike in American culture. It's cold and harsh and brutal. And people suffer because of it.
I prefer a more gentle, community approach.
I am horribly disappointed to see this obesity (along with other things) coming about in Thailand because I recognize it for exactly what it is: cultural hegemony and colonialism. While the US may not be going in with its military, it's used a different method.
Thai people don't matter to American corporations. They're just another market opportunity. As Thailand becomes more westernized, the same old social problems present themselves there. It's only going to get worse unless Thai people start waking up and respect their own values and way of life.
So.. perhaps a bit of your approach might work. Let them see first hand the ugliness under the surface of the Gilded Ghetto.
Thanks for the discussion. Even though at times rather challenging, it has truly been interesting. :)
Best to you!
~Chani
Thank you 4amExpat, for your response. I appreciate what you said.
Still, when you say you are going to hate the idea but not the fat person it reminds me of fundamentalist Christians and homosexuality---they love the sinner but hate the sin! It's still hate and no one is fooled. (I apologize if I'm offending someone but that's how it seems to us non-fundamentalists.) I think you can still be righteously and justifiably angry without the hate. You'll feel better too...
HOWEVER, I totally agree with you that what is being done here in our culture (that we export to Thailand and everywhere else we can) is NOT OK. And that something has to change---the "corporate greed, quantity over quality, profits, and destruction of our planet"! I think that it will, too. I think that there is a change coming. A massive change.
I am reading a FANTASTIC book called "The Ascent of Humanity" by Charles Eisenstein. I highly recommend this book about our culture, what's wrong with it, and what's not wrong with us because we are uncomfortable in it.
Anyway, 4amExpat, thank you for the discussion as it has been provocative and everyone has had so many interesting things to say.
Blessings to you,
Olivia
Thank you 4amExpat, for your response. I appreciate what you said.
Still, when you say you are going to hate the idea but not the fat person it reminds me of fundamentalist Christians and homosexuality---they love the sinner but hate the sin! It's still hate and no one is fooled. (I apologize if I'm offending someone but that's how it seems to us non-fundamentalists.) I think you can still be righteously and justifiably angry without the hate. You'll feel better too...
HOWEVER, I totally agree with you that what is being done here in our culture (that we export to Thailand and everywhere else we can) is NOT OK. And that something has to change---the "corporate greed, quantity over quality, profits, and destruction of our planet"! I think that it will, too. I think that there is a change coming. A massive change.
I am reading a FANTASTIC book called "The Ascent of Humanity" by Charles Eisenstein. I highly recommend this book about our culture, what's wrong with it, and what's not wrong with us because we are uncomfortable in it.
Anyway, 4amExpat, thank you for the discussion as it has been provocative and everyone has had so many interesting things to say.
Blessings to you,
Olivia
Something along the lines of "respect yourself, respect your body, be healthy" would be a slogan I might pick, ... (Remember Lee Kwan Yew?)
Not bad, but I am afraid that is not saying enough. It misses the responsibility we each have to contribute positively to the planet. That is basically what is currently being preached - and it's NOT working.
The slogan needs to reach further. Your eating and consumption habits affect more than just yourself.
Every Big Mac you order, affects more than just your weight- it negatively affects me, and everyone else on the planet. It makes my surroundings less desirable, contributes to social ills, and it's time I start holding you responsible.
Being fat is a POSSIBLE indicator of a person with a general disregard for my planets habitat, as well as my self.
----
I do appreciate the comments everyone and I hope there a difference between the idea of fat people and actual real people is being properly made.
"Every big mac you order" could easily be "every mile you drive," "every child you have," "every CD you buy..." If you start talking about what damages the environment, it is pretty much everything, and the main culprit is human overpopulation. So would it be sane to hate everyone for everything they do? It seems tiring and useless.
PS I am a childless vegetarian. I chose those options out of concern for the environment, but I don't hate others who have not made the same choices.
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