What Exactly is (and isn’t) Fat Shaming?

We hear the phrase “Fat Shaming” quite often today. The subject is in the news again due to a Facebook post by Rachel Taylor on her experience in an Old Navy clothing store.

Here’s part of her post:

Today I was shopping in Old Navy, standing in between a teenage girl and her mom. The girl picked up a plus-size tank top, showed it to her mom and said, “Look! Me and So-and-so can fit in this tank top!” Her mom laughed and said, “Yeah, you could! That thing is huge!”

I couldn’t help it; I started crying. I guess the girl and her mom walked away. I have no idea. My husband walked me out of the store to the car. I sat in the car crying for a long time but eventually went back inside to finish my shopping.

Rachel went on to buy the tank top and posted a picture of herself wearing it. She said she looked fierce in it. Here’s the picture:

FB-racheloldnavy

It’s true! She looks great!

But, is this really an example of fat shaming?

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