Fuck Yeah, Old Time Fatties!, I’m loving all of these Depression-era photos. It really disrupts the idea that fat is a product of late-capitalist abundance, or, more simply, you get fat from eating too much. Somehow, I’m doubting these folks, many of whom were likely living in poverty, were fat because of overconsumption. Y’know, the rampant overconsumption of the… 1930s. Right. That. Thanks for the work you do keeping up this site!

I'm loving all of these Depression-era photos. It really disrupts the idea that fat is a product of late-capitalist abundance, or, more simply, you get fat from eating too much. Somehow, I'm doubting these folks, many of whom were likely living in poverty, were fat because of overconsumption. Y'know, the rampant overconsumption of the... 1930s. Right. That. Thanks for the work you do keeping up this site!

mskaylee

Why thank you, mskaylee. I’ve learned that there are three places where it’s relatively easy to find photos of fat people: celebrities/powerful people, farm families and people of African/Mexican descent. The first group has the means to afford to eat with the convenience and choice that most Americans currently enjoy, the second group (usually) had better access to regular food supplies, and the third group has been shown to be more genetically predisposed to higher weights and, in particular, higher thresholds for metabolic indicators.

All that capitalist abundance has done is make it possible for middle class and poor people today to eat like the wealthy celebrities and power brokers at the turn of the 20th century.

Anyway, thanks for your kind words. I’m still combing through archives, so try not to mind the hiccups when there’s a lack of photos. There will always be an update forthcoming.

Peace,
Shannon

chaotrix liked this
cupcakes-and-lithium liked this
ppsh-41 liked this
fuckyeaholdtimefatties posted this