I’m a fat activist and strongly object to weight loss for any reason. Why should I support a show set at a fat camp?
Because it’s not about fat camp. In fact, fat camp is probably the best thing to happen to this show. Where else could you legitimately isolate fat people from the mainstream culture, which values thinness and puts fat people at the mercy of bullies? Fat camp is a brilliant literary device that levels the playing field (for the most part) for fat people so that their size can essentially be ignored. Fat camp allows the writers to explore the personalities of the characters without having to worry about undo comparisons to thin characters. Fat camp also allows the writers to explore issues pertaining to body size and shape that some people aren’t comfortable talking about, such as binge eating disorder. So long as these issues are handled respectfully, as opposed to inducing shame or mockery, then I believe it is of value and worth.
