Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change

Mekdela's Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change delivers a candid and powerful exploration of the multifaceted experiences of plus-size individuals, particularly women of color, navigating American society’s entrenched beauty standards and systemic discrimination. The narrative intertwines personal anecdotes with cultural critique, illustrating how media representations, fashion industries, and social attitudes marginalize larger bodies. Mekdela reflects on her journey to embracing her body, resisting pressures to conform, and building community with others who have been “othered.” The memoir also critically examines the intersections of race, gender, and sizeism, highlighting how these oppressions manifest in everyday life—from online dating struggles to workplace discrimination—and calls for social change rooted in self-love, inclusivity, and justice.

The prose in Plus-Size is searing and engaging, blending poetic reflection with sharp social commentary. Mekdela employs vivid imagery and rhetorical questions to challenge dominant narratives about beauty and worth. Her assertive and compassionate tone invites readers to reconsider their perceptions and biases. The inclusion of cultural references—from popular TV shows and movies like Shallow Hal and Drop Dead Diva to the influence of the fashion industry—provides a lens to critique mainstream representations that often reinforce fatphobia and racial stereotypes. The irresistible tone, imagery, and juxtaposition enrich the narrative. Mekdela’s narrative is a compelling call for decolonizing beauty standards and fostering a society that values bodies of all sizes and backgrounds. It is gripping and features compelling social commentaries.