The power of a word

I use the word fat.

Always have, even 85 pounds ago.

I never used it to berate myself. I think I used it to take ownership of the word, much as African-Americans use the N-word or homosexuals took control over other negative words to describe them.

For example, I didn't talk with any embarrassment about where I had to shop for clothes. I called Lane Byrant or The Avenue "the fat lady stores" or the women's department "the fat lady section."

At the same time, I know it can make people a little bit uncomfortable. Which isn't my intention. (OK, not completely.)

I think a little discomfort is good. Fatness isn't something that a) other people don't notice or b) that is really the absolute worst thing in the world. In our culture, though, the whole issue carries so much emotional power. Even though I am not immune to the emotional power in some ways, I don't like the idea that Fatness is The Thing That Cannot Be Spoken About, particularly when people talk about so many other taboo issues now.