NAAFA OPPOSES* RACISM

NAAFA SUPPORTS BLACK LIVES MATTER

 June 1, 2020

 The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), its Board of Directors and the Future of NAAFA Committee opposes the violence and injustice perpetrated in the murder of George Floyd and many other Black people. Our hearts go out to his family and the too many other families dealing with losses like this. This murder is an example of the state sponsored violence that Black Americans face daily. As a civil rights organization, we must oppose discrimination in all of its forms. We believe that protest is essential to combatting racism and correcting injustice. NAAFA supports actions aimed at ending racism, injustice and violence against our Black brothers, sisters and siblings in fat community and beyond.  This violence against the people of our nation MUST end. 

 We challenge fat White and other Non-Black people to examine your own biases, confront racism when you become aware of it* and to get a better understanding of how racism and fatphobia have worked in tandem* to harm our communities.

 We encourage our members and community to show your support with your money, your time and by being resolute* in your support to end violence against Black people and to the racist systems and practices that harm us all. We recommend you follow and support Black-led organizations like #BlackLivesMatter, #NAACP, #ColorOfChange, #PushBlack and our local leaders who are working to end institutionalized racism in our country.

 NAAFA Board of Directors:

Darliene Howell, Chair of the Board

Peggy Howell, Vice-Chair of the Board

Tigress Osborn, Director of Community Outreach

 Future of NAAFA Committee:

Marlú Carolina Abarca

Lindley Ashline

Rebecca Trujillo Batty

Amanda Cooper

Marcy Cruz

Trevor Kezon

Courtney Marshall

Jessica Richman

Kolieka Seigle

 *Upon review by the NAAFA Board of Directors, the original language of “stands against” has been replaced with “opposes”, “call out racism when you see it” has been replaced with “confront racism when you become aware of it”, “hand in hand” has been replaced with “in tandem” and “visible” has been changed to “resolute” due to the original phrases’ ableist nature. We apologize and pledge to make every effort to avoid the use of ableist language in the future.