Contrasting Narratives of Race and Fatness in COVID-19

The document discussed the disparities in Covid-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates among racial or ethnic minorities and fat people, highlighting how narratives around these groups differed. While structural racism was recognized as a key factor in racial disparities, discussions about fatness were dominated by individualizing and stigmatizing narratives. This stigmatisation disproportionately affected racial or ethnic minorities, as anti-fatness was historically racialized. The document suggested that despite acknowledging structural racism's role in racial inequalities, anti-obesity rhetoric allowed for individual blame to be placed on racial minorities for their increased Covid-19 burden.