Control Yourself. The Double Standards and Mirrored Struggles Of Body Diversity and Self Expression
Written By: Toni PNW
Why would you do that to yourself?!
Fatness is considered something no one would choose to be, yet society treats it as a choice. Because struggling socially, physically, and economically is seen as a direct reflection of our productivity, and choices - fat bodies are seen as being responsible for the barriers that limit and oppress us, hoping to rob our right to advocate for better treatment and equal access by labeling it as complaining.
Existing in a fat body alone is a defiance of social beauty standards, and many find it a source of empowerment. In contrast, society interprets our bodies as a rebellious choice and lack of self discipline, needing only punishment to course correct to conformity.
Choosing To Fail. What did you expect?
Getting a tattoo on the neck, hands, or face is referred to as a “job stopper,” a permanent hindrance to many jobs, opportunities, and advancements in a society that builds its standards of acceptable and professional on the foundation of thin, white, and religious supremacy. Fatness is treated similarly as self sabotage. Tattoos are seen as a poor choice, while fatness is seen as the result of poor choice - and both are stigmatized and penalized.
These insights into society’s discomfort with body autonomy, neutrality, and diversity are celebrated by the companies that profit off of self insecurity and the wealthy elites that encourage shame and oppression in lower classes to keep the spotlight off of themselves.
“Why would you do that to yourself?” is a statement heard by both fat people and tattooed people that proves the speaker acknowledges how appearance based biases create oppression for many in society. Yet, they frustratingly pivot to uphold those standards instead of questioning them.
Skin Deep Vs. Systemic
Appearance based judgment hurts everyone, but fatness has indisputable systemic factors that affect every aspect of fat lives. Tattoos are still far from normalization, but they are much more common to see in pop culture and mainstream spaces. Having a visible tattoo may still cost you a job or promotion, but it won't get you worse health treatment at the hospital, dehumanizing portrayal in media, tokenization, increased rates of depression, or denial of physical access and dignity.
Recognizing these distinctions when talking about how systemic oppression interacts with other symptoms of an appearance hierarchy doesn't erase the harm felt by all, but reminds us to focus on understanding the critical seriousness of needing to make strides in fat advocacy work.
How Biases are Reinforced in Tattoo Media:
The early 2000s saw a massive rise in the popularity of reality TV shows. Drama, conflict, and competitive attitudes were, and still are, rewarded with recognition and large monetary awards.
Competition can be positive and push individuals to revitalize motivation, challenge themselves, and learn new skills from each other's unique processes. But the commonly emphasized rivalry, rewarding of negativity, and the demeaning of non-western and non-traditional tattoo styles and skills overshadow the long, connected history of tattooing to cultural diversity, self-love, and self expression, which perpetuates ideas about who is and isn't worthy of getting tattoos or performing them.
Knowing that our society prioritizes certain appearance traits, it's unsurprising that tattoo shows and media overtly describe white, thin, non-disabled bodies as the most ideal candidates for tattoos, reinforcing harmful and discriminatory misinformation and biases about those who do not fit the narrow standard. This tells fat people and other marginalized bodies that they are low quality and their unique bodies and skin are difficulties and challenges.
Entertainment value and mutual respect don't often cross paths, which can immensely contribute to biases and the historical and current dehumanization of marginalized bodies. In tattoo media, client opinions, concerns, and attempts at collaboration are continually dismissed and mocked, normalizing this treatment to clients industrywide. This damages trust in all studios and creates unsafe environments where clients may experience harm and abuse and feel unable to express their needs or self-advocate.
Criticisms of tattoo media that identify harm and its repercussions open conversations about how the industry can improve and become a welcoming environment focused on art, safety, inclusion, self expression, and individuality.
Redefine Success
Body judgment makes everyone feel worse, and all bodies benefit from moving society away from stereotypes and stigmas. Celebration of diverse art, supportive communities, body autonomy, removal of discrimination, and acceptance are all shared goals by tattoo artists and fat advocates.
Actions toward these goals through education on size inclusion, sharing marginalized bodies' stories, practices of bodily autonomy and consent, unpacking and challenging biases, and creating physically accessible spaces are amplified by working collaboratively.
Redefining success from who can best conform to single aspects of art, style, and technique to true success measured in efforts for collective well-being and universal respect embraces a future of safety and sustainable prosperity.
About Toni PNW:
Toni is a tattoo artist and fat liberation activist in Portland, Oregon. Her artwork centers and celebrates fat bodies, and through art and education she is dedicated to promoting size inclusion in the tattoo industry and beyond.
You can connect with Toni PNW on social media at @tonipnw . She also shares all her education content on the instagram page @heavryspace and at Heavryspace.com
