Feminism Gets Physical

YEARS ago, between sessions at an academic conference, I heard a woman mention Susie Orbach’s 1978 book Fat Is a Feminist Issue. The man she was talking to repeated the title slowly, paused for a few moments in thought, and said, “Can you give an example . . .”

The woman jumped in: “. . . of why fat is a feminist issue?” And the man replied: “No, can you give an example of something that’s not a feminist issue?” She was reduced to stammering until the next session mercifully began.

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Fred Schwarz

Fred Schwarz was a deputy managing editor of National Review.

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YEARS ago, between sessions at an academic conference, I heard a woman mention Susie Orbach’s 1978 book Fat Is a Feminist Issue. The man she was talking to repeated the title slowly, paused for a few moments in thought, and said, “Can you give an example . . .”

The woman jumped in: “. . . of why fat is a feminist issue?” And the man replied: “No, can you give an example of something that’s not a feminist issue?” She was reduced to stammering until the next session mercifully began.