Netflix series supports damaging stereotypes for young women
Streaming service gives dehumanizing blow to fat people
Fat people are upset and you should be, too. In recent years, Netflix has been instrumental in changing the face of popular media, putting marginalized people front and centre in their original content.
“Queer Eye,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Dear White People” are just a few that highlighted the experiences and stories of people that usually get wrongly and offensively portrayed. However, Netflix’s step forward seems to have taken two ground-shaking steps back.
A few days ago, the TV service released a trailer for its new series “Insatiable,” which tells the story of ‘Fatty Patty,’ an overweight high school girl living “every girl’s worst nightmare”— she’s fat.
The main premise is that she is punched in the face and has to get her jaw wired shut over the summer, therefore she CANNOT EAT. Because of this she “gets hot” and can exact revenge. She is now respected by her peers and desired by men. Now that she’s skinny her life can truly begin.
“Insatiable” is due to be released on
Aug. 10, which hopefully won’t happen due to the overwhelming controversy the trailer has caused. The trailer dehumanizes overweight people and their experiences.
The producers say the program is about bullying prevention. This unoriginal storyline is not about acceptance and inclusion, but rather contributing to a narrative that sends destructive messages to women about their bodies. Fat women DO NOT need to lose weight to be successful, loved or sexy. This is a story about getting revenge by getting skinny. Revenge is not a bullying prevention strategy.
One of the trailer’s first lines is “While my classmates were out losing their virginities, I was at home stuffing another hole.” However, they take it a step further by implying that fat women are unable to be sexual or find a partner. As a young women in her early 20s who once believed she could never be loved, I am furious that this is out there for girls to see. If my 15year-old self had watched this, she would have been crushed.
Women’s values are not determined by their ability to be loved by another person, especially a man. And now as a slightly more experienced and much more confident 20-year-old, I can assure young girls that no matter what your size, you will be loved many times throughout your life.
More problematic and frankly disgusting is the way in which the main character loses the weight. She has her jaw wired shut and cannot eat over the summer. This show is teaching young girls and women a dangerous fantasy: If you stop eating, you will be better; if you’re skinny, people will love you. Both of these claims are demonstrably false, and can trigger people who struggle with disordered eating.
“Now I can be the former fatty that turned into a brain or an athlete or a princess.” This program dictates that fat people can’t have other qualities or identities.
I am a fat woman in university. I am a fat woman who was shamed all my childhood out of being active. I am also a fat woman who did CrossFit. I am a fat woman who expresses my sexuality, gender and femininity. I am a fat woman who will be successful despite constant messages that tell me otherwise. I will have a full and happy life, all while being unapologetically fat.
Fat people are mothers, daughters, fathers and brothers. They are teachers and academics. They are yoga instructors and models. They are human and do not have to change a single thing to gain acceptance. So watch us succeed, but please don’t watch this show.