Key Facts
- ✓ Historian Christopher E. Forth's book 'Grasa' explores the centuries-old history of fat discrimination in Western society.
- ✓ 16th-century philosopher Nicolò Vito di Gozze proposed closing city gates to overweight individuals and monitoring young people's bodies.
- ✓ Di Gozze suggested specific weaning times for infants to prevent them from becoming too chubby, with different timelines for boys and girls.
- ✓ The book reveals that historical fat-shaming practices were often framed as public health measures rather than prejudice.
- ✓ Forth's research connects contemporary attitudes about body weight to Europe's historical cultural dominance.
- ✓ The book was published in Spain by Plasson e Bartleboom in November, providing a comprehensive historical analysis.
A Deep Historical Echo
When former President Donald Trump announced a proposal to close U.S. borders to migrants with obesity, the statement sparked immediate controversy. However, a closer look at history reveals that such discriminatory thinking is far from modern.
The concept of using body weight as a criterion for exclusion has roots that stretch back centuries, long before contemporary political debates. This historical perspective offers a crucial lens through which to understand current attitudes toward body image and immigration.
According to historical analysis, the practice of judging individuals based on their physical appearance is a persistent thread in Western culture, challenging the notion that such biases are purely a product of recent times.
The 16th-Century Blueprint
The historical precedent for such exclusionary policies can be traced to the 16th century. In his book Grasa, historian Christopher E. Forth uncovers the writings of philosopher Nicolò Vito di Gozze, who proposed radical measures to control body weight.
Di Gozze argued that cities should close their gates to overweight individuals and implement detailed monitoring of young people's bodies. His rationale was framed as a public health imperative, insisting that no effort should be spared to promote what he considered healthy habits.
The philosopher's proposals extended to the most intimate aspects of life, including specific timelines for weaning infants to prevent them from becoming too chubby. He suggested 18 months for girls and two years for boys, revealing an early form of gendered body control.
Perhaps most strikingly, di Gozze drew inspiration from the mythic ideal of Esparta (Sparta), proposing that any youth who failed to achieve a slender physique by age 14 should be deported.
"“Si no fuese tan preocupante, daría risa que un hombre gordo como Trump discrimine la gordura de mujeres y personas de color”"
— Christopher E. Forth, Historian
Europe's Historical Dominance
Christopher E. Forth's research in Grasa connects these historical attitudes to a broader pattern of European cultural dominance. The book traces humanity's complex relationship with body fat, demonstrating that fat discrimination is not a modern invention.
Instead, these biases emerged during periods when Europe was establishing its global influence, shaping cultural norms that persist today. The historical analysis suggests that contemporary attitudes toward weight are deeply embedded in centuries of cultural practice.
The book, published in Spain by Plasson e Bartleboom in November, provides a comprehensive examination of how societies have historically viewed and regulated body size.
“Si no fuese tan preocupante, daría risa que un hombre gordo como Trump discrimine la gordura de mujeres y personas de color”
This observation highlights the complex irony of body-shaming rhetoric, where individuals who might themselves be subject to criticism become agents of discrimination against others.
Modern Parallels and Irony
The historical context provided by Forth's work creates a striking contrast with contemporary political rhetoric. The proposal to restrict immigration based on obesity represents a modern application of ancient prejudices.
What makes this particularly noteworthy is the historical continuity of these discriminatory patterns. From 16th-century European philosophers to 21st-century political figures, the use of body weight as a marker of worthiness has persisted across centuries.
The book's examination of this history reveals how deeply ingrained these attitudes are in Western culture, suggesting that addressing modern fat discrimination requires understanding its historical foundations.
This perspective challenges readers to consider how historical biases continue to shape contemporary policy debates and social attitudes.
Key Takeaways
The historical research presented in Grasa offers several important insights for understanding current debates about body image and immigration policy.
First, it demonstrates that fat discrimination is not a recent phenomenon but has deep roots in European history. Second, it shows how historical figures used similar rhetoric to justify exclusionary practices.
Finally, the research provides a framework for analyzing contemporary policies through a historical lens, revealing patterns that might otherwise seem isolated or unprecedented.
Understanding these historical connections is essential for developing more informed approaches to both body image issues and immigration policy in the modern world.
