Body image Quote by Lindy West
““Before the day I didn't fit, this conversation was largely an abstraction for me. My stance was the same as it is now (if people pay for a service, it's the seller's obligation to accommodate those people and provide the service they paid for), but I didn't understand what that panicky, uncertain walk down the aisle actually felt like. How inhumane it is. I'm telling you this not to garner sympathy or pity, or even to change your opinion about how airplanes should accommodate larger passengers. I'm just telling you, human to human, that life is complicated and fat people are trying to live. Same as you. Reasons I have had to fly within the past five years: For work (often). To see beloved friends get married. To speak to college students about rape culture and body image. To hold my father's hand while he died. I'm sorry, but I'm not constraining and rearranging my life just because no one cares enough to make flying accessible to all bodies.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal Narrative on Air Travel Accessibility, published in The Guardian, 2022
The author describes the personal struggle and societal neglect of accommodating larger bodies in air travel, highlighting broader issues of empathy and inclusion.
In simple terms: Airlines often ignore the needs of larger passengers, causing distress.
Advocate for inclusive travel policies.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- airline policy reform
- advocacy campaigns
- public speaking
- education
- personal storytelling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to support inclusive travel?
- How does personal experience shape your view on systemic change?
Changing entrenched industry practices is challenging.