Acceptable Discrimination?

An open letter to Dick’s Sporting Goods and all stores of their ilk:

When a company touts themselves as a “sporting goods store,” one would think they are a purveyor of all things athletic. I was impressed when I walked into the glossy, fancy Dick’s Sporting Goods – it was clean, bright, and welcoming. That welcome, however, wore out as soon as I realized there was nothing there for me.

I am an athlete. I may not look like an athlete to you, DICK’s, but I enjoy many of the same pursuits as the athletes you feel are more “acceptable.” It is disheartening, to say the least, to be excited to get a windbreaker, perhaps some new leggings, or even a freakin’ sweatshirt, and find that there is not one plus size article of clothing to be had in your store.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that I can fit into larger-sized men’s athletic clothes, BUT I SHOULDN’T HAVE TO.

Discrimination against the obese is one of the last “acceptable” forms of judgement. In some ways, I get it. You look at people like me and see a fat person; you assume you are looking at someone who eats like shit, someone who doesn’t care about their appearance, and someone who is unhealthy. You, DICK’s, couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, providing your heavier customers with a selection of plus size athletic gear would be a tip of the hat to those of us who endeavor to be active.

Listen, I don’t expect to walk into every store and find something in my size. I’m not going to stroll into The Gap, Urban Outfitters, or J. Crew and expect to find something in my size, because hey are not stores for plus size women. However, you and your ilk are SPORTING GOODS STORES. You should make a point to fit all athletes, not just the ones who wear under an XL.

The fat athletes are here. We are not going away. Whenever an obese athlete comes to your stores and can’t find their size, you are losing money. You lost money yesterday, DICK’s, simply because you couldn’t add an extra couple of racks for a plus size athlete. In fact, you’ve lost even more cash, because I will not patronize your store in the future, no matter what my size, and I will not recommend you to my “normal sized” friends, either.

With disdain,

Erin Merritt, Fat Athlete

P.S. For my friends out there looking for plus size cycling gear, check out Fat Lad at the Back (https://fatladattheback.com/) in the UK. They are inspirational and just frickin’ awesome.