In New Brunswick, New Jersey (near/at Rutgers University) there are sandwich trucks (grease trucks) that have sandwiches called “Fat Bitch”, and “Fat Dyke”. Apparently, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender community members said the terms are offensive, and asked that they be covered with duct tape. I was wondering how offensive those names are to most people. Having lived in the area for most of my life, I’m kinda desensitized to hearing college kids ask for two fat bitches at 2 in the morning. Is this as offensive to women and gays as some perceive it to be? Is it offensive to fat people?
Here is a rebuttal that makes some very good points about the situation. Do the protesters have a point, or is this kinda like complaining that Christmas being a federal holiday is a violation of church and state?
Both of those phrases are “fighting words” in these parts for what it’s worth. Doesn’t matter if the woman is married to a cave man and weighs all of ninety pounds soaking wet, she’ll still whup you.
Of course it’s offensive, but so what? Those who’re offended don’t need to patronize it right? I’d err on the side of the owner’s right to name their business as they choose to, and the market can be self-policing.
How far does that defense go, though? Is “Cheap Jew” or “Ignorant Nigger” going too far, or not?
[hijack]
With all the studies telling us how many millions are obese, why don’t we have fat people clubs? Why’s it just the LGBT community hollering about this?
Well, I don’t know why fat people haven’t complained, but all the sandwiches begin with the word fat. They have names like “fat koko” and “fat moon” too. Not that fat people shouldn’t be upset, just thought I’d give that info in the interest of full disclosure.
Second, I don’t think “dyke” is nearly as offensive as the other slurs you mentioned. I think comparing them is faulty. I would like to hear from some gay people as to how offensive they feel it is. Perhaps, I underestimate its power.
Lastly, the reason why Rutgers was able to take action is because the trucks reside on Rutgers’ property on a 24-hour basis. Moving the trucks to public land isn’t really an option. The truck owners are beholden to the university, and by extention, the students.
I’ll add FTR, that while I might :dubious: upon first perusing the menu, if the sandwiches were good, and I were hungry, I’d probably still buy them. A name that is ill concieved doesn’t taint the ingredients of the sandwich after all. That doesn’t mean that maybe they shouldn’t be wise and change the names of the sandwiches for the sake of keeping their profit though, now that a fuss has been raised. Much as it must confuse/gall the people who were brazen enough to make such a menu.
There is nothing wrong with being LGBT on the other hand being obese is unhealthy and dangerous. Its certainly not a behavior or condition that should be encouraged or condoned. If there is a medical reason there might be some support groups for the specific disease but just general being obese isn’t really a positive reason for a club.
The sandwiches are very good. If you are ever in central New Jersey, you should try one.
Also, I’m not sure the vendors actually made up the names. All the the sandwiches are made up a random things. A sandwich might have bacon, cheesesteak, fries, onion rings, and chicken fingers all on a hoagie roll. These concoctions are often created by Rutgers students (past and present). As tradition states, in order to make up your own sandwich, you need to create a list of original ingredients, then eat 3 (or 5, depending on the truck) of them in one sitting. Once you do that you get to put a picture of yourself on the truck, and name the sandwich. I don’t know if the fat dyke was created in this manner, but it’s quite possible. If so, I think the vendors are slightly less scummy.
Dear God, they’re complaining about the Grease Trucks?
Some of those sandwiches are yum. (I used to enjoy one with cheesesteak, eggs, and bacon on it). Some of them are terrifying, but I can’t say I ever looked at the names. (Might I ask what is on a Fat Bitch and a Fat Dyke? Do you know what the other “offensive” names that are covered up)
Taken out of context, yes, those are offensive labels. However, taken in context (and being a RU student puts you smack dab in the middle of context, if you ask me) they’re just like all the other “Fat Whatever” sandwiches. I think they’re just complaining because they’ve always got to find something to feel oppressed about. I remember my freshman year there was a HUGE thing because someone in my dorm had written the word “Monkey” on the elevator wall in crayon, and it was interpreted as a racial slur, prompting protesting until the administration “did something about it”. We had to attend “tolerance seminars”. All because one drunk wrote on the elevator.
At first read, I really, really thought that article was from the Mugrat [the student paper’s joke edition]. How often is “Everybody’s happy with the Bitches” in print?
-Obsidian, Rutgers alumna, who’s now wondering if there’s anywhere in the state of California where she can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner all combined together on a hoagie roll.
This tells me that “fat” is being used as a synonym for “big” or “thick.” All of these words are used as innocent adjectives in a variety of situations. “Fat” is also used as a perjorative in some situations, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
However, “bitch” and “dyke” are almost always used as perjoratives, and the phrases “fat bitch” and “fat dyke” are naturally going to evoke thoughts of personal insults, and make most people think that “fat” is being used perjoratively as well.
I would say that “fat whatever” is quite defensible in this context, as the “fat” is in no way referring derogatorily to a person. But using derogatory terms like “bitch” and “dyke” is uncalled for, and their impact is exacerbated when paired with “fat.”
In this particular instance, where “Fat Bitch” has been used for years with presumably no complaint, I would infer that it has not offended people beyond being considered slightly “naughty” (and hence fun to use for many). I gather that “Fat Dyke” is a newer name, and I’ve got to ask “What were they thinking?” It is analogous to having a line of sandwiches with names like “Cheap Star” and “Cheap Baby” and then adding “Cheap Jew” to the menu, or having “Lazy Duck” and “Lazy Tutu” and adding “Lazy Nigger.” How could you expect those not to be offensive? I give “Fat Bitch” a pass due to tradition, but “Fat Dyke” is asking for trouble, and I don’t see how it can be justified.
I wouldn’t buy a sandwich from them. (And while I may miss a taste sensation, I will live longer, so I don’t feel that I’ll suffer much.) It’s offensive and unnecessary. Sure they can do it, but I won’t give them money for it.
I used to eat at those grease trucks all the time. This was back in the late '80s - eraly '90s. The original “fat” sandwich was called the “Fat Cat”. The Fat Cat was 2 burger patties, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayo, ketchup and french fries on a big roll. I’d eat one of these about once-a-month. It seems that they’ve expanded the “fat” menu.
The funny thing about the Grease Trucks was that they all were located next to each other and all served basically the same menu. So service/friendliness was the differentiating factor.
I, for one, have no problem with the name “fat bitch”. “Bitch” is a word which has lost most of its dergoatory meaning. Men who are cranky are sometimes called “bitches,” too. One can “bitch and moan”. One can say a test was a “real bitch.”
However, “dyke” has not gotten any other common meaning beyond that of a derogatory word for lesbian. (Except, of course, for the thing that holds back water.)
Hmm. Rutgers grease trucks. On the Newark campus, I used to occassionally grab a Fat Darryl. It had mozarrella sticks in it. Mmmmmm.
What were we talking about?
Oh yes! Bitches and Dykes! Both offensive and unnecessarily so. What’s wrong with coming up with an innocent name like Fat Moon or Fat Cat? Or Fat Darryl?
I can’t believe this, but I actually miss Rutgers.
