Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality all approved!
What I find problematic with this statement is the notion that Race could be placed under the category of “solved problem�. It is always difficult to make connections to race and size in such rigid ways. Assuming that size is the last “acceptable prejudice� puts race, class, gender, and sexuality in a vacuum in which our society has already overcome the damaging effects of the social creations of these identities. While some people might believe that we live in a post-race world, I strongly disagree that this society has arrived at such a point. Even though some might argue that racism is not de juro, it is obvious that there is still de facto racism. Race prejudice might be unacceptable in many social settings, in many other environments and spaces it still flourishes and lives. I do agree that there are strong intersections between race and size issues, I don’t think we can fully conceptualize those by making such broad, and simplified statements. In both these types of oppressions we have larger powerful institutions that play a vital role in keeping these constructions alive.
I believe it is unfortunate that fatness creates this hypervisibility in our world that allows some people to believe the have the right to put judgment on something so personal. In the movie Shallow Hal, the relationship between the lead roles became completely public due to the size of Rose. In any other “normal� relationship it would have become a social faux pas to pass judgment on a relationship in such a vicious manner. Until the end the relationship had to be constantly defended and explained by the kind, and warm hearted nature of the fat woman. Even though she is “repulsive� I will be with her because I am a “good� person, she has an exceptionally “good� character. This message that was reified in this movie made sure that there wasn’t any normalcy in this relationship. First it never complicated the fact that some outside force was asking for an explanation to be with somebody of a “abnormal� size. This diverted from the fact that there don’t have to special circumstances to fall in love with a fat woman. Second it created the image that only a very forward thinking, good hearted, and geniunly nice person could be in such an abnormal relationship. Third the fat love interest had to be a witty, intelligent, successful, and rich woman in order to overcome her size. At the end, being with her created an entry into a wealthy class bracket and culture of leisure and success.
I do agree that the oppression of size can be more blatant and accepted at times, I don’t think it is the only prejudice that is still in use. A fat black, poor, lesbian, woman will have a very different experience than a white fat woman.