BFB is Seven!
Today marks Big Fat Blog's seventh anniversary!
As always, I am deeply appreciative and thankful to everyone who has read the site, participated, become a member, and contributed to our Funding Drives.
We're collectively in the midst of a lot of change. The movement is, well, moving forward. More people are writing about fat, more people are thinking about fat, and fat acceptance is making progress. I admit, it hasn't made as much progress as I'd like within the past seven years. It's disheartening to still be writing about children being taken from their parents, people being denied adoption rights, and myriad negative fat depictions in the mass media. But I'm definitely optimistic. There's been a new lifeblood brought into the movement via blogging; it's definitely noticeable. Fat acceptance and fat rights aren't issues that can be ignored anymore.
There are a lot of people who are quick to put down blogging, claiming it's just an echo chamber or not really activism. I take issue with that argument. I've received countless emails over the years, great ones, thanking me for starting BFB and maintaining it... and they're amazing letters. For many people, BFB is the movement and is the community; for others it's a jumping-off point into the world of fat rights; for others it's a place to get quality fat snark. BFB has been successful in changing the minds of many, many folks and introducing a viewpoint overlooked in a lot of the mass media. It's provided support, community, and encouragement to - at this point - millions of people. If that's not activism, I'm not sure what is.
The elusive "next step" beyond blogging has always been a concern but, I can safely and vaguely say that plans are in the works to develop that next step - and BFB will be there to document it, promote it, and support it.
Again, thank you to everyone.
Danza Voluminosa: Not Fat Friendly | How to Grow an Organization From the Ground
Posted by paul on August 4, 2007
Happy birthday! *confetti*
Happy Birthday, BFB, and thank you, thank you, Paul, for creating and keeping up this wonderful, safe place!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BFB!!!
I second the emotion: a very, very Happy Seventh to you and everyone else who keeps BFB going. This is not an easy cause! BFB is quintessential activism. Thanks for carrying the torch -- and for being optimistic about our ultimate arrival in the fat-accepting Promised Land. And for those moments when the shitheads get you down, I remind you of Mahatma Gandhi, who said (of political action): "Even if what you do is seemingly of no consequence, it is absolutely vital that you do it." It was also Gandhi who said, when asked what he thought of Western Civilization: "I think it would be a wonderful idea."
Blow out those candles on your cake and have a big slice for me! 
Happy birthday!!!
Seven big fat CHEERS for seven years, well done!
Happy-Happy BFB!!!! Too the day people are allowed to live as they see fit and beyond, Skoal!
Paul; Your thanking US? Ummm, no. WE'RE thanking YOU! There are, of course, many who would call this blog, what it represents, and the reason it exists, frivolous, ridiculous, and in some cases, even profane.
They are saying this, RIGHT NOW. I can't even imagine what sentiments were being espoused SEVEN YEARS AGO.
Thank you for your Vision and Determination.
Congrats! Seven years is a long time to keep at something.
I just recently found your blog - surfing and looking for people who question the insanity of healthism and the validity of the conventional wisdom of the lifestyle police.
Unfortunately - I see very little evidence of counter messages getting any attention in the massive swarm of propaganda out there.
We need more amd more people like you and your posters to get the word out and challenge that propaganda.
Thank you for having the courage and fortitude to keep swimming against the tide.
I'm not "fat" - but I'm appalled at the discriminatory vile messages of anti-obesity gang, the life-style police and the demigods of "Public Health". They are evil and need to be stopped.
Keep up the good work.
Happy 7th to the father of the fatosphere!
...when I say that "millions" of people have read BFB, I do mean since its inception. If that happened in the timespan of one year, well, I'd be thrilled.
Happy Birthday/Anniversary! I can't believe it's been seven years already! Congratulations on making it this far and doing so with such a strong, steady resolve (and good design to boot!) Here's to 20 more!
I hope there are many more.
WOW! Congratulations! I think that makes you the oldest blog, like, ever! What an accomplishment.
Paul,
Congrats on creating and maintaining this revoluationary web site. Celebrating a 7th anniversary is bittersweet. I applaud your dedication to the FA movement via BFB. I despair that that this blog is still necessary to combat fat hatred. My anniversary wish for all of us is that this blog will be obsolete in another 7 years...or sooner.