U-M Professor Claims Fitness Is a Tool of Soft Fascism
University of Michigan professor suggests fitness and BMI are racialized tools in a controversial NPR podcast.
2 min read
A University of Michigan gender studies professor has sparked controversy by suggesting that physical fitness can be a tool of soft fascism, arguing that BMI standards and self-discipline are racialized. Dr. Ava Purkiss, an associate professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Michigan, made these remarks during an October 16 episode of NPR’s Code Switch podcast titled “Why Fascists Love ‘Fitness.’”
Controversial Claims About Fitness and Fascism
Purkiss framed fitness through the lens of eugenics, racial hierarchy, and state power, suggesting that the idea of fitness has been used to dehumanize and divide people. She argued that the state and those in power often use fitness as a shorthand for dehumanization, which she described as a form of soft fascism.
Examples of Racialized Fitness Standards
Purkiss provided examples she described as “racialized,” including how BMI standards and self-discipline have been used to marginalize certain groups. She concluded that using fitness as a proxy for separation can be a tool of soft fascism, potentially even actual fascism.
AMA Labels BMI as Racist
The American Medical Association (AMA) has also jumped on the bandwagon of wokeness by labeling BMI as “racist.” The association argues that BMI has a troubled past rooted in “racist exclusion” and “historical harm,” making it an imperfect tool for evaluating health status. The AMA adopted a new policy stating that BMI cutoffs are based primarily on data from non-Hispanic White populations and do not consider a person’s gender or ethnicity.
Medical Applications of BMI
Despite these claims, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies BMI as a useful screening measurement for assessing weight-related health risks. However, the CDC emphasizes that BMI alone cannot diagnose a person’s health condition. Regular physical activity is still recognized as beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. Exercise can also strengthen muscles and bones, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
University Promotes Professor’s Appearance
University of Michigan’s Women’s and Gender Studies department later promoted Purkiss’s appearance on the podcast, indicating institutional support for her controversial views. This has raised questions about the academic environment and the politicization of health and fitness standards.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
