If you haven’t been following along the shit storm today, Mamamia founder Mia Freedman is being raked through the coals by prominent writer and feminist Roxanne Gay for an utterly bizarre Freedman take about Gay’s weight.
Gay’s new collection of essays, ‘Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body‘, details her lifelong struggle with her weight, which Freedman appeared to see as a green light for her own breathless commentary on said weight.
I ask for one thing. A sturdy chair.
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
I have never once in my life worried about fitting into an elevator nor have I made such a request.
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
Now Australian writer and former Mamamia employee Rosie Waterland (she of the infamous ‘Bachie‘ recaps) has jumped into the fray, slamming her former workplace for its incredible obtuseness when it comes to issues affecting plus-size women.
In a Facebook post on her public page, Waterland wrote:
“Okay so a lot of people are asking me to comment on this. I got my start at Mamamia, and will always be grateful that my time there helped to launch my writing career. But when I saw this today, I burst into tears. As a fat woman who used to work there, I felt like I had to say something. To apologise at least. To Roxane Gay, and to any other plus-size woman, or any woman, who struggles with her body image. I tried daily to make them understand this stuff. Reading this made me cry not only because it was hurtful to Roxane, hurtful to any plus-sized woman who has worked there or tried to be part of their community, but because obviously I failed to teach them anything. I’m just really sad.”
She also reached out on Twitter.
Fucking gobsmacked. As a fat woman who used to work there and tried daily to make them understand this stuff… I am so sorry I failed.
— Rosie Waterland (@RosieWaterland) June 13, 2017
Freedman’s since-deleted piece described the logistics in the lead-up to the interview (for Mamamia podcast ‘No Filter‘).
“‘Hunger’ is a memoir about Roxane Gay’s body. And I would never normally breach the confidence of what goes on behind the scenes while organising an interview but in this case, it’s a fundamental part of her story and what her book is about,” she writes.
“You see, Roxane Gay is……I’m searching for the right word to use here. I don’t want to say fat so I’m going to use the official medical term: super morbidly obese.
“It’s not just that she’s overweight though – Roxane is 6 foot 3. Or about 2m tall.
“Her size is imposing and also a logistical nightmare for her. The requirements back and forth with her publishers who had brought her out to Australia to promote her books were extremely detailed.
“How many steps were there from the curb to the door of the building? Were there any stairs? How many? How big was the lift and was there a goods lift? How many steps from the lift to the podcast studio? There was also a lot of talk about chairs – making sure we had one sturdy enough to both hold her weight and make sure she was comfortable.”
Shortly after the piece came out, Gay absolutely let them fucking have it.
I am appalled by Mamamia. It was a shit show. I can walk a fucking mile. https://t.co/14RNv2Ig0B
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
“Can she fit into the lift?” Shame on you @Mamamia https://t.co/14RNv2Ig0B
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
Whatever. Just what the fuck ever.
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
It is cruel and humiliating. https://t.co/XY2AU0XPFG
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
It is cruel and humiliating. https://t.co/XY2AU0XPFG
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
Wish I could go home
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
It’s 1 am. And I’ve said what I need to say. This situation is disgusting and shameful and frankly it speaks for itself. https://t.co/fdumMtFhnx
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 13, 2017
The post has since been deleted, but the podcast – which includes an introduction that’s almost a word-for-word replica of the piece anyway – remains available.
At the time of writing, neither Freedman nor Mamamia have issued an apology.
Photo: Rosie Waterland / Instagram.
