University of California Los Angeles Discrimination Discussion

Hi everyone! In this conversation, we’re continuing to discuss anti-fat discrimination and we’re also being introduced to the concept of reproductive justice.

Maintenance Phase is a podcast researched and written by Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes, two experts on the sham that is the diet and fitness industries. They are interested in debunking the myths that have been sold to you by diet culture, which makes tons of money off of your insecurity. In these two episodes, they do a deep dive into the history of the BMI (body mass index), a non-scientific “measure” of body size that even doctors often use, and the obesity “epidemic,” which is also a non-scientific concept, as you’ll see.

Along the way, Gordon and Hobbes will uncover the racist and ableist history of the BMI and anti-“obesity” campaigns, showing once again that intersectionality is crucial to understanding body image and body shame.

I highly recommend the entire podcast (Links to an external site.) from episode 1 forward!–it’s hilarious, educational, well researched, and paradigm-shifting.

• Choose one:
  • “The Body Mass Index” (listen on Apple (Links to an external site.), Spotify (Links to an external site.), or wherever you listen to podcasts)
  • “The Obesity Epidemic” (listen on Apple (Links to an external site.), Spotify (Links to an external site.), or wherever you listen to podcasts)
  • Get transcripts for all episodes from Buzzsprout (Links to an external site.)

Reproductive justice may be a new concept for some of you. It is a much broader topic than “reproductive rights” (which is part of it, of course). It includes more than abortion access; it also includes access to contraception, health care, comprehensive and inclusive sex ed, family planning, child care, and more. I hope you enjoy and expand your thinking about what reproductive equity includes!

• SisterSong, “Reproductive Justice” (Links to an external site.) (2018)
• Factsheet on Global Reproductive Rights
• Optional: Sophia Serrao, “We Must Promote Gender-Inclusive Reproductive Health Care” (Links to an external site.) (2020)

• • Guttmacher Institute Report: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights are Key to Global Development (Links to an external site.) (2015)