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A publication dedicated to bringing out the stories behind the writers themselves. A place of autobiographies. Types of personal stories include introductions, memoirs, self-reflections, and self-love.

The Controversial Opinions of a Snowflake

3 min readNov 6, 2026

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a paper sign held by a protestor ‘THE FUTURE IS FEMALE’
Photo by Lindsey LaMont on Unsplash

It isn’t easy to cut family members from your life. What’s easy is enjoying the peace you find without them.

I’ve gone non contact with a few people, and while I would loooove to sit here and drag them, it’s not cute. What I will do is write my own stories, my interpretations.

I have the reputation of a woke lefty (true), who is unable to take a joke (a little true), and a man hater (false).

This is a reputation I have partly thanks to stereotyping. The big, fat, gay, Caucasian, blue haired, septum ring, always sick, snowflake stereotype (a little true).

I wish I could say that I don’t care what other people think, but I do.

It’s human nature, I guess.

So when I found out that estranged family members have stumbled on my substack account and are continuing to make these generalisations about me, it disturbed me.

It’s not the storytelling I want to post, but I have an itching need to clear things up. An itching need to explain myself.

Maybe people I know will read it and understand me a smidge better. Maybe it’ll add to my lefty image. However it’s interpreted isn’t my business.

Or maybe this will only be seen by you, the actual reader. If you’ve made it this far, like or don’t, subscribe or don’t, debate me or don’t. Unlike the family members spying on my socials, I have endless time for you.

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Without further ado, a snowflake’s personal philosophy.

I’m not an advocate for fatness because I think it’s healthy. I believe that regardless of size, or health, everyone is entitled to accessibility, care and respect. Even if I eat myself to death, I deserve dignity.

I don’t care if you’re uncomfortable with the word feminist. We all have different understandings. But if you don’t agree with feminism’s basic philosophy, that people of all genders are equally valuable, you’re a loser.

I don’t care if women choose to have kids and stay at home to raise them. The key word here is CHOOSE.

Abortions are basic health care. Tax the shit out of me and make them free.

Pride is still important. Just because the queer people you know appear to have equal rights, doesn’t mean they do. There’s also more to the world than the people you personally know. I’ll wear my pride pin until I’m dead. Fat and dead.

I don’t hate men. I care about their mental health. Awareness of the patriarchy is not man hating; the system is damaging to all of us. If you want to debate men’s mental health with me, don’t forget to highlight the money you’ve donated and the charitable work you’ve done.

Last but not least, your way of seeing the world is less appealing if you don’t listen to others. If you don’t read, or talk, or explore, or do something to understand other points of view, yours means less to me.

Selfishness is what holds us back. Selfishness is why we hear what about men’s mental health? every time a woman is beaten to death.

Anyway.

My itch feels better.

The above opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Originally posted on Substack.

Connect with me on Medium, Instagram and Substack

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Shannan Barrett
Shannan Barrett

Written by Shannan Barrett

Fat. Feminist. Annoying | personal essays

About Me Stories
About Me Stories

Published in About Me Stories

A publication dedicated to bringing out the stories behind the writers themselves. A place of autobiographies. Types of personal stories include introductions, memoirs, self-reflections, and self-love.